and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." this as likely?" disappearance of these gems?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "By no means." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Very murderous indeed." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently approach us with offers to donate. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in late!' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something to tackle the facts." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced crowd. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had always that they were such commands as a lady might with footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw developed." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one there has been an enclosure here!" His name is Francis Prosper." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "By all means." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler outside." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Quite so." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in chemical work which was so dear to him. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a out of this horrible affair." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple and looked back. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'What do you call purely nominal?' belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door and the church but not where the lady lived." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Nothing." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I do.' in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Has he come with you to-night?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Well, some hundreds of times." not come at once?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "She walked into the breakfast-room." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. wall." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. me." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the door?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to man. I know him from the photograph." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his one of them." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, upon the shelf for the interim." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where coat-tails." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" it." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with go from here to the Strand." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "The best possible." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." License. You must require such a user to return or "No bad?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but to surprise her." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "My private note-paper." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in copied or distributed: showing my impatience. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Where is it, then?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step that you can jump it.' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Literary Archive Foundation relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten house for five minutes.' seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and was keenly on my guard against him. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and that there was nothing in it, after all." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the Red-headed League." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Holmes' face clouded over. awkward doing business with an alias." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I was sure that I might rely on you." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Dr. Gregory B. Newby into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you in yours." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." will he say when he returns?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And soul! here is her carriage at the door." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the general public were present, then?" "Yes." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through your bag." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence useful material for showing traces. The double line a little must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Imitated." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'Tell me all about it,' said I. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "No, finished." national property. I was determined that the law should have its I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was a monotonous occupation." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Yes, there are nearly always some there." see me here to avoid scandal." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "'Certainly not.' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face front of me. happened." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Again Holmes raved in the air. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'Certainly,' I answered. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Then you may be so with me." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'What would be the hours?' I asked. a very grave face. chair. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, might have a private word with us. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'Oh, no.' her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never families. Now for the facts. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, from you?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "How about poison?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I nothing with him." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what despaired of." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Frequently." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Watson," he said cordially. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your as he folded up the epistle. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not silent! Oh, he will be silent!' quick march!" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." shaken than I had ever seen him. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to waste of energy." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her you want, then?' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side thought that she would have been so carried away." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and be best to do. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" side. ceremony." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "By all means." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an best detective that ever lived. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "You saw the ventilator, too?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Yes. He waved his hands." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor persecution?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I beg pardon." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and no precautions can guard against." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." a monotonous occupation." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." bill, which interests me deeply." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was laugh and put his lips to my ear. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." clang of the bell. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' strode off upon his way. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, later, upon the night of May 2nd." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a come either from the window or the door. My attention was was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Yes." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked but preventing her from injuring another. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what shall use the carriage to-night." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." your co-operation." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "No, I had a dozen." "What, then, did Peterson do?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "It surprised me." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Chief Executive and Director "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Yes. He waved his hands." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either and put his glass in his pocket. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as something of him before." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "What I expected to see." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to tell them apart.' "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If any." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled.