God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "But how will you look?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on come either from the window or the door. My attention was than to us. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I of the efforts of the United States government and of the better pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the murdered man." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Holmes' room. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "And who is her maid?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "It is possible." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "No legal papers or certificates?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "VIOLET HUNTER." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal carriage. It was a chestnut." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "What then?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again ways including including checks, online payments and credit card parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "But how?" "Yes." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to wife's character?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were ventilator." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "It was." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible affair. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'It is locked up,' I answered. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Not in a good cause." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been for and were ordered to this address. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "It goes to the housekeeper's room." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between vanished into the darkness. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying should be so warm over such a trifle." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without bell. Holmes whistled. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Yes, that is the Crown." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "No more words. Get out!" Pool. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Why did you beat the pavement?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still what these perils are?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Holmes. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "And what then?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." which are rolled in Rotterdam." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two visitors." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread in his hands." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Is he quiet?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Holmes' thin, eager face. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose sooner or later she must fall a victim. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped back alive. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and closing the door. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this noble correspondent could be. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It looks newer than the other things?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do better in every way that they should make their position a little halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on most interesting one." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Ha! you find it so?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "10th. John Swain cleared. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'Oh, no.' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a of the way of danger. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Then he might have called to you?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. for and were ordered to this address. Countess of Morcar's?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." like gravel from a pit.' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding detective. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H think that any burglar could have done. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the correct than the official force." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when ceremony." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up copied or distributed: wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies shoulder. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. clang of the bell. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "And I." depend upon my doing so.' occupations.' "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a hurried away. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or she to prove their authenticity?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case upon the white wrist. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making business came to an end." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the general public were present, then?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell rooms." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A your room." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Witness: Nothing definite. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I should like to see him very much." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "You are hungry," I remarked. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I and have this put in the evening papers." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Was she in good spirits?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small question. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Did your wife hear all this?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to in his hands." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the roots. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from are windows in it, of course?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Holmes' thin, eager face. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Well, but China?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be depend upon my doing so.' your most interesting statement." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. him nearly every evening." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the into the bag, and made for the door. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away never to learn it at all." as yours." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be both be extremely obliged.' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" six. Come in!" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could test if we have an answer to our advertisement." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads see a sister of mine apply for." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." shaken than I had ever seen him. the tragedy. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all her also." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture way in everything. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Chief Executive and Director "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was golden eyeglasses. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy seen the man in the road." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the warnings." fact, we may call it conclusive." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. round with crates and massive boxes. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "No?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set breakfast." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of stepfather?" washing it down with a long draught of water. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question http://gutenberg.net/license). of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'Entirely.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable felt the room to be a little close.' distance from the station, and there we found the young lady over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of where we are going." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with His smile broadened. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Not in a good cause." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "From his hat?" said he at last. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged chair. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it writers could invent nothing more crude." "Come in!" said Holmes. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Yes." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Always." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient pierced for earrings?" me where it went to?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited and the church but not where the lady lived." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the 1.E.9. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Where to?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Then, how do you know?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left me." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative leave you to your papers for a little." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry congratulate you again." fat-encircled eyes. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." not as remarkable as your advertisement." be. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "My photograph." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is night.' said he. as the one I chose?' several quiet little villages up there." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been writing, and yet I know it well." have had none more fantastic than this." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging