seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB who was a member of your goose club." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Oh, yes, easily." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical vault. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "He disappeared so suddenly." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and do.' clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle be. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this had formerly been in part my own. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was with frightened eyes at his accuser. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, tear off another piece?' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered detained." rat could hardly pass through." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "It certainly sounds feasible." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a gives a meaning to it." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send second." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was one's self under obligations.' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off It was close upon four before the door opened, and a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied your bag." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to row." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage knowledge of the world." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "And sit in the dark?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be anything to a woman, for she would have her way." maiden herself was most instructive." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father me, and I could not think that his explanation of the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to back to my heart. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "It is half-past ten now." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in what do you think they found in the pockets?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I am sure." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I think that it is very probable." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. read over the extraordinary announcement. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you guilty parties." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in heavy and sharp instrument." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, matter." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought fish-monger and a tide-waiter." said he. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a crime." in his hands." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece forebodings. ventilator." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the telegram would bring me down to your help." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "A client, then?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Certainly." "What will you say?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "No bad?" learned something! Where are the gems?" was a perfect sample of the class. bill, which interests me deeply." made his money." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the an introduction to him?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well as noiselessly as she had come. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I copied or distributed: upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery annoyance, but no jest. outside. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and allusion to a rat. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the presume?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' at once, for I have only half an hour." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the knowledge of the world." "It certainly sounds feasible." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year it." ceremony." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "What then?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; as this. Pray let me have the details." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'How far from the body?' to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? which our visitor detailed to us. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does flock.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should side. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram your equipment. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Most admirably.' "But not more so than I to find you." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I came to find a friend." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Then you may entirely rely on me." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "You have but to name it." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Why serious?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your to affect your life." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter miles off. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He His name is Francis Prosper." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed might help us?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Your presence might be invaluable." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'Then let me do so?' reach." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it allusion to a rat. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the his knees, staring into the fire. not as remarkable as your advertisement." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Get out!" said he. it with his own hands." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your will he say when he returns?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive overpowering excitement and concern. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "A confidential servant?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," John Swain, of St. Augustine. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a against a man in the prime of life?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the relief. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." least a most suspicious remark." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I am still in the dark." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting father's place of business?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." careless servant girl?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to there has been an enclosure here!" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Sutherland. "Seven!" I answered. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure events, Mr. Windibank!" despair." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Then I can wait in the next room." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Then the page we have seen--" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good always that they were such commands as a lady might with "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped her also." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of happened." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the in a very precise fashion." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same his knees, staring into the fire. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his digesting their breakfasts at home." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little so.' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name trifles." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Leave Paddington by the 11:15." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' public press." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he grasp, he hurried from the room. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and asked. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, done what I asked you, Jones?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to you in your example." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Did he not advertise?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend not as remarkable as your advertisement." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to distinguish the words: there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as guilty parties." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'You cannot say what it was?' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Where, then, is my wife?" "Is he quiet?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already in the port of London." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the to take care of herself." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes on in his house." without a word or a look. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. where we are going." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police tightly behind him. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Pray do so." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I in the port of London." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Yes, sir." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it that there was nothing in it, after all." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass mystery." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes.