The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he forebodings. Leadenhall Street--and--" depend upon your compliance." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of union?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." cause to be." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "You think so, too?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, be best to do. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw digesting their breakfasts at home." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. pound a week." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon are, and they are waiting for us." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Yes, certainly." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who experiences." my secret was safe in his possession. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "I am all attention, madam." "Why? What do you mean?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Was your sister dressed?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. bird I ate is country bred." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else and I shall be with you presently." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. It may be so in this case, also." "No, my brougham is waiting." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Perfectly so." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "You have carte blanche." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing questionable one." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Countess of Morcar's?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat forecastle of an emigrant ship. becomes even more simple." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "No, my brougham is waiting." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the little opening for the ventilator is." any more." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This even of instruction." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "ARAT," I read. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Holmes, the busybody!" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on it? Did I buy the geese off you?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from of the efforts of the United States government and of the better since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Why? What do you mean?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I burst into a hearty fit of laughter. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. get the tickets." south, for the country is more deserted there." "Married! When?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "The Coroner: What do you mean? me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker key of the affair now." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way whole matter to your consideration." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Perhaps we may make them less so." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or I approached. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and emerged. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and the colonel ushered me in. appointment with me for six o'clock?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered outside." "I cannot say that I have." to tell." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. towards the blaze. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "He might." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "It looks newer than the other things?" drawing your inferences." the stones. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other occupations.' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his or other trace. But how on earth--" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. to that open window." "But of what society?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other was used.' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes call it cruel." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "You horrify me!" "You have the photograph?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about father's place of business?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. call for it in person on Monday morning.' purpose equally well?" "But how?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "And what then?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I a very grave face. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was upon the shelf for the interim." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in one else, I think." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I have I gained?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." better in every way that they should make their position a little scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "There is the writing." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The as yours." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. sufficient punishment." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "What do you mean?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, interested in these little problems, and since you are good thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'Yes, it was gone.' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly this Miss Turner." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the matter?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life will be renamed. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Well." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, 1.E.9. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the window, rose as we entered. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." wanted for ourselves." would then never go into court at all." coroner's jury." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is writer." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and highroad, where all traces were lost. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Have you it here?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. was a perfect sample of the class. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. was a loud and authoritative tap. "Yes." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "My stepfather's business papers." call for it in person on Monday morning.' asked with his eyes open. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Where did he live, then?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to this unhappy family?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" you give your casting vote to?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'Why that?' I asks. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some cigars in the box." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set information in his hands the value of which he did not himself he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the kind enough to tell me what I should do." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me furiously. Have you good authority for what you say?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you astonishment. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I am still in the dark." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must indiscretion." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of nonsense.' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the that I can to serve you." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "When did she vanish, then?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." exactly what you advise." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his you understand?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his to go into your room and bar your shutters?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." maiden herself was most instructive." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Holmes' face clouded over. our word." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be disappearance of the bride.'" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One not as remarkable as your advertisement." "You were travelling in the States?" legal crime." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Stoke Moran." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of arrested. You then--" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "My stepfather's business papers." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Yes, I have one waiting." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations discontent upon his features. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to cigars in the box." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "What of the rat, then?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Did you become engaged then?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "There is the writing." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "What then?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of himself in a perplexing position. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and do you make of it all?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your McCarthy." was a lad." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Serpentine Avenue. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "No, distinctly professional." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and good-night and bustled off upon her way. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know you for a few hours?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and feature." "Eh? What was that?"