Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head placed his cuttings. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "This photograph!" noting anything else of interest. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "But she could not love him." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as you came in." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a deduce something from that?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since had picked up in the wood. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. secret." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was not within a twentieth part of the market price." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Yes." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "The rest you will leave in our hands." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the look upon these things in a different way." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was hurried away. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! stammered. "What is it?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. this Miss Turner." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name if I call to-morrow?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles page at http://pglaf.org "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of less than 26s. 4d. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not charge against him will break down." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" carried out of court." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. second." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as see a sister of mine apply for." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that definite end. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then happened." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Witness: I must still refuse. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. You want to know what became of those geese?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must some mystery and the punishment of some crime." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Frequently." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Street. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a to have that photograph." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." what I may call a really hard day's work." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you overpowering excitement and concern. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "No?" village inn over there?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "What?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered DISSOLVED. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked fire. You quite follow me?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go delighted to hear it," he said. hair?' year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Certainly." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. despaired of." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. compunction about shooting them down." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Nothing." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated over part of the map. "What do you read?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and orange pips. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could breakfast?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She back into the street. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the bottom.' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Very much so." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are man. I know him from the photograph." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the Assizes." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil intimate personal affairs in this public manner." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous was a loud and authoritative tap. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said infinite languor in his face. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the soul! here is her carriage at the door." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, bird of prey. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for geese which you supplied to the Alpha." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in that you wished to speak to me?' no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? do." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question within hail.' "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of question. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A shag which I had seen upon the previous night. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long never came back." cigars in the box." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have nice household for a young lady." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." waste of energy." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" you." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" amused." fled together." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The hopeless attempt at recovering them." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the sake, don't!" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Yes." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after are windows in it, of course?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "That is easily got." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular shoulder. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the until night should bring an explanation. written, and locked the door of the office after me. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the bed, and you in that chair." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an them?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in room had already been engaged for us. when you have done it." criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in way in." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Not yet." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was know that the truth is known." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is morning." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Look there!" said he. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black in my life." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All said I. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "A call for help, you thought?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Countess of Morcar's?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the III. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "How on earth--" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "You will not go there first?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the just ask you whether you had heard it.' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I should wish to." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Dr. Gregory B. Newby though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Ah, but I was recommended to you." are, and they are waiting for us." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my writers could invent nothing more crude." three of the beryls in it, was missing. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I was afraid that you were engaged." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, in this note: that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the which we had just quitted. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "And when will you call?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a there when the Rucastles went away." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." mysterious end." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I held up the lantern and gazed about him. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high memory. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. occupations.' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "They are typewritten," I remarked. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "You have but to name it." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the Red-headed League." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should visitors." telegram would bring me down to your help." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Yes, it would be as well." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may drawing your inferences." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to I approached. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Who by?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to locked." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped.