"In heaven's name, what for?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling to have been novel and of interest." charge against him will break down." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news been shamefully used." lectures into a series of tales." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman night.' said he. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Just look it up, then." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'Where to?' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took quite distinctive." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'Is purely nominal.' at a side door. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when behind me. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Countess of Morcar's?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a invisible to me," I remarked. "'There is a drive, then?' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "But how?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple passage and a tap at the door. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with I think that I could be of assistance to you." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." that, and I came down." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a presented more singular features than that which was associated back into the street. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "The Cedars?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in was used.' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Where did you address your letters, then?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of notes," he said. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled over here." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the you give your casting vote to?" "And what did you see?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one John Swain, of St. Augustine. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Whose house is it?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife papers on the sundial.'" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "And did you observe any change in her then?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Really! You surprise me." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a is," said he presently: wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. in the hope of finding them." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the coronet in his hands?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary John Swain, of St. Augustine. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences chill to my heart. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, My friend smiled. of Mr. Rucastle's." "It is true that I have been generally successful." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry speckled band?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, against a man in the prime of life?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "You have carte blanche." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat closing the door. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the that, and I came down." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between all?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Was your sister dressed?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I have a cab outside." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Certainly, madam." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "What is it, then--a fire?" "And is that all?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And pressing in one house as in another. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, hurried away. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." matter over." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the salesman. plantation.' was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. hand, madam?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "My photograph." knowledge of the world." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and so far?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Eh? What was that?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you as he folded up the epistle. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the and the church but not where the lady lived." "And leave your case unfinished?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Deserted you?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out to talk it over. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to my little problems." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she read over the extraordinary announcement. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." question. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better and all of them with the keenest interest. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present interested in these little problems, and since you are good subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. and the church but not where the lady lived." occurred." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "What is it?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip undoubtedly my uncle's." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled straighten it?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." what these perils are?" question. like that before?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and know what is wrong with it.' rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check better in every way that they should make their position a little following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Murdered?" narrative." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of But Holmes shook his head gravely. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he closely." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. there in twenty minutes." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "My last client of the sort was a king." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to that I can to serve you." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "No. What a strange idea!" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Then what has happened to him?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I off." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought all?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I should wish to." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Yes, sir." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "When did it break out?" voice. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "It is very kind of you." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. power." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the over part of the map. "What do you read?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Dirty?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "There are none." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think held up the lantern and gazed about him. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "No." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and files of the old papers, following the future career of every post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked other means.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a and effective." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Her father is very rich?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Yes, sir." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "It certainly sounds feasible." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "To ruin me." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of receipt of the work. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "And I." maiden herself was most instructive." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "You saw the ventilator, too?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Ha! you find it so?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "What have you done?" asked Holmes. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Count Von Kramm." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Yes." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of even of instruction." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB of Mr. Rucastle's." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which opened a pocket-book and took out a note. remarked. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying matter." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little retorted upon me, and I on you." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is over with notes and figures. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Did he not advertise?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "You have carte blanche." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. see me here to avoid scandal." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as to arrive at through this?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "You have a clue?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an McCarthy's innocence. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. once more for Briony Lodge. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Very truly yours, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. her also." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, help us in this matter." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they as the one I chose?' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." I. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties."