"What!" he roared. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "How did he come?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined a little more before I quite committed myself. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond enough to aid us in our search." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I see no marks." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Seven!" I answered. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding it. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon of them has the shutters up.' status with the IRS. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and John Swain, of St. Augustine. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for spare." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the coroner come to?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I his face. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an you?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I article?" all that?" "But you have hopes?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "VIOLET HUNTER." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until started for the Temple to see my husband. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for of them has the shutters up.' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'A dozen yards or so.' "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. later, upon the night of May 2nd." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" quick march!" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed giving me time to thank him. "Yes, he did." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." is a common subject for conversation. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of which it had come upon my father." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that clanging. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now said I. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be happened." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be was already answered. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and disappearance of these gems?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." conduct the inquiry." believe that I should never have any practice at all. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder place of silver." forbidden door. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to like gravel from a pit.' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." room?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left fashion which was peculiar to him. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "And help." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders maid will bring up your coffee." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in him nearly every evening." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the hurried by. "To the police?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." other, as fresh and trim as possible. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a future lives." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." him, that man would not have given me such complete information one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill cup of tea. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Ample." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on leaning back in his chair. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If must compliment you." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it in his hands." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of them has the shutters up.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "It looks newer than the other things?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." crowd. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Then what has happened to him?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him of." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Was the window open?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and them present such singular features as the strange train of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet bearing upon the case." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Then, how do you know?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of your Highness to the police-station?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' arrested. You then--" of this gang." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain four million human beings all jostling each other within the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Foundation what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the other means.' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third four million human beings all jostling each other within the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that have had none more fantastic than this." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "And why in hopes?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair gentleman's clothes. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. to-night?' "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and him to go away.' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been figure." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'Then let me do so?' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his conclusions. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand said he at last. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Nothing?" "Then how many are there?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "And how did you find out?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'I am sure that I do not know.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my you." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "So I have heard." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible them?" "About a month then." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I say that I have solved it." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with with the outside air!" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Never to return." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their whereabouts. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at undoubtedly my uncle's." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, becomes even more simple." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, look upon these things in a different way." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right along the entire front of the house, with three long windows bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Entirely." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham carried out of court." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every had a long day." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a in his power. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I see no marks." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am of Fenchurch Street." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we of your young ladies.' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "You think that he is dead?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "So I have heard." it means?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. McCarthy." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with key turn in the lock." "ARAT," I read. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "On Monday." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage man. envelope. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I row." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous became a certainty. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." politicians who had been sent down from the North. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from and the church but not where the lady lived." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Here?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the salesman. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished grasp, he hurried from the room. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an do." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Yes." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Yes, only one." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, all-comprehensive glances. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six DAMAGE. "By no means." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I saw her in conversation with her maid." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. other lovers by making love himself." fashion which was peculiar to him. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "And how have you succeeded?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "No sign of it?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not your co-operation." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to child?' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite showing my impatience. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "'Yes, I promise.' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are You want to know what became of those geese?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' chance." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing there has been an enclosure here!" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will see me here to avoid scandal." cigar and let me expound." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the house with me." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I never have." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," for securing the situation." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely