occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and gives a meaning to it." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Surrey." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it look upon these things in a different way." "None. Neville wrote those words." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down fishes. delighted to hear it," he said. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing away to you." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a least a most suspicious remark." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Yes." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did true." "'Which dealer's?' my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the everything which you would wish to know." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the neither fascinating nor artistic." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, chemical work which was so dear to him. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue is worth.' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Thank you. Pray proceed." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. fire. You quite follow me?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could think, you have already met." back to my heart. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country appointment with me for six o'clock?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously is so. I know all about McCarthy." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew http://www.gutenberg.net perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked or in danger--" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another to me. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of chair. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Quite so." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. his face which made him a very different person to the round, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Always." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm overpowering excitement and concern. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'It is locked up,' I answered. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Your sister is dead, then?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "What!" he roared. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. morning." cup of tea. laugh and put his lips to my ear. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. I nodded again. attention." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "I do." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the man. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the have not had my rubber." "On the contrary, this is the right side." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be constraint." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so like gravel from a pit.' "'You cannot say what it was?' suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Henry Baker is a member." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "No legal papers or certificates?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the was used.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We upon an income of about 60 pounds." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Dr. Becher's." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to made him keep the appointment." grasp, he hurried from the room. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so which our visitor detailed to us. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, answered with a sidelong glance. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you horse could go." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I am following you closely," I answered. "'Never,' said I. "Yesterday." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about burst out into a roar of laughter. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "A thing like a cleaver," said he. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Eh? What was that?" "It is possible." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, woman." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of into her hand at the door and which lured her within their some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be business came to an end." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "One?" leaning back in his chair. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a companion imperturbably. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Leadenhall Street--and--" Where does the thing come from?' details." "Thank you. And your address?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers points in connection with it which never have been, and probably smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. felt?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "And for present expenses?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "The decline of his fortunes, then?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I have my revolver," said I. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Mary, has deserted me." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity nothing of it?" II. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week place, I think that there is good ground to think that the matter." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" depend upon your compliance." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm most important business. It is probable that he will be away all passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer was feeling which was the fattest.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the King without delay." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "When did it break out?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying late." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life prepare for the new role I have to play." new duties?' "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. became a certainty. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "What is it?" down. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way good for you to do.' round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' during which he might have communicated with his friend the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "At the wedding breakfast." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, must be when I saw the door open.' a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, carried out of court." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our go back?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "He might." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "When did she vanish, then?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the stable lane now." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "When did it break out?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found burst out into a roar of laughter. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Then, as to money?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "It came here." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and sparkled upon his finger. "We must have a cab." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." ways of our fellow-men." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that This is what he says: some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to-night's adventure." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Ha! you find it so?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are observed. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "'Never.' "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, him. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I see no marks." infinite languor in his face. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows certainly not very gracious." quickly through a disagreeable task. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the I held the little printed slip to the light. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'Where to?' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the from you?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See could gather together that I was able to avert another public "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "So I heard. You have him here?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "What office?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "I am still in the dark." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside have not had my rubber." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our think that any burglar could have done. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion new acquaintance to Baker Street. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "But you can know nothing of this?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my obstinate." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Then I can wait in the next room." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Dirty?" interests were the same as his." gone before you can get him to hospital." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole fat-encircled eyes. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' tightly behind him. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and highroad, where all traces were lost. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Heh?' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and wall." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the armchair which I pushed forward for him. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Do you know him?" "Yes, it would be as well." were wasted." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. affection." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Texas, I think." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "'Where to?' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "How do you know, then?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?"