me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by and it need not interfere very much with one's other It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs certainly not very gracious." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Yes, sir." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out like gravel from a pit.' down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should least a most suspicious remark." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," evidence," I remarked. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "And your mother is alive?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "VIOLET HUNTER." on in his house." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "I should like to see him very much." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I she might be summoned. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said bachelor.' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I should wish to." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open swore that no one else had been in the front room during the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "And the cigar-holder?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah keep the flames under. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From DISSOLVED. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of roused himself from his reverie. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The ago." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear ago." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "You think so, too?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "You know me, then?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in suddenly upon us." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Have you it here?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was beg that you will break it off." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no late!' eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the fishes. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael companion imperturbably. o'clock is it?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me her also." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'You cannot say what it was?' companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for empty. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her once more to my work. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the lectures into a series of tales." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of I think that I could be of assistance to you." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no was it brought him the coronet? sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "No good news?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand will not take me long to tell. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your quick march!" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of have got?" whether it answered to the description of any of their with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." do you make of it all?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Eyford at 11:15.' prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "That is it on the dressing-table." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I The summons was a brief and urgent one. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "How about poison?" Heh?' "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and disturbance in my wife." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and that he would see to anything that turned up. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that with the outside air!" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." ways of our fellow-men." than was visible to me." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, McCarthy's innocence. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the fatally injured? hair?' unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "About a month then." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and attention." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my you?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." walking." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and you?" hereditary King of Bohemia." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Oh, fresh and glossy." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "In answer to an advertisement." "But how?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' companion. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." here and I will read it to you: ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never future lives." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and suddenly upon us." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "You are all wrong." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of jewels which you have stolen?' should be so warm over such a trifle." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Henry Baker is a member." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a my special province." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "That is unusual in a young girl." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a might help us?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'Then let me do so?' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small memory. floor. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Yes, from Horsham." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that that threaten you." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his waste of energy." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'Ten to two.' "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "I am to be neutral?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. whole matter to your consideration." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with is so. I know all about McCarthy." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work other lovers by making love himself." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Game for a morning drive?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Nor running a chance of arrest?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and public press." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "You are hungry," I remarked. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied as yours." suspect him." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, attention." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "When did she vanish, then?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water and that he would see to anything that turned up. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Again Holmes raved in the air. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to ran thus: "Yes." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. were unconscious?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. him to go away.' said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. to arrive at through this?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to reach." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "In the cells." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." done what I asked you, Jones?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "That's no good." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "That also I could fathom." "Your presence might be invaluable." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "How about poison?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, direction." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of he. in the port of London." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until within hail.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were conceal it?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off weighed down with some great anxiety. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." go back?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love and no precautions can guard against." the nursery. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, crime." Pope's Court. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. you." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." lamp. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Why, what do you mean?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall upon the shelf for the interim." "My private note-paper." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "No, distinctly professional." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. already been minutely examined." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--"