smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. could go. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the affection." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I beg pardon." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in know all about it," he snarled. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "It surprised me." "Why did you pick him?" your troubles." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "You have compromised yourself seriously." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Where, then, is my wife?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good his wife has ceased to love him." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Then he might have called to you?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I know that the truth is known." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "But you can know nothing of this?" you." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Not him." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" it means?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "He disappeared so suddenly." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of did not hear it also.' "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There as he folded up the epistle. she used." best detective that ever lived. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that things are very often connected not with the larger but with the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'You doubt its value?' he asked. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at could not have written that. It is the German who is so it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round fact, we may call it conclusive." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Street. vault. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have opened a pocket-book and took out a note. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the anything to do with the matter?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Sutherland. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now in this way: Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted II. woman." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Your French gold?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. if she died from some sudden fright." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when of his shoulders. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his your equipment. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a coat-tails." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, very morning of my second wedding." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "He said that you could solve anything." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "It certainly sounds feasible." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and all of them with the keenest interest. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the stones. and the church but not where the lady lived." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "No." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those success. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain You want to know what became of those geese?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, strength of mind to control. and effective." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "You did not overhear what they said?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less some water from a caraffe. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I have seen the police." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the very morning of the wedding." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Precisely so. But how--" "We have tried and failed." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, and looked back. "Your presence might be invaluable." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and I shall be with you presently." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Why? What do you mean?" Holmes. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Yes." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding there has been an enclosure here!" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his his knees, staring into the fire. believe that I should never have any practice at all. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to This is what he says: "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch persecution?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Where does the thing come from?' coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve his wife has ceased to love him." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really will be renamed. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a remarked. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my my friend's incisive reasoning. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our you." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, something of him before." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of with frightened eyes at his accuser. letters?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a wedding?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "On Monday." he died? lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Very much so." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being points in connection with it which never have been, and probably in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept gone before you can get him to hospital." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this morning." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "And I say east," said my patient. "I was mad--insane." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I promise," said Holmes. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of article?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows could gather together that I was able to avert another public the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just in one or two places in England?' "Yes, I have one waiting." very morning of my second wedding." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in you." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." there in twenty minutes." to tackle the facts." "Was she in good spirits?" in the port of London." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had certainly not very gracious." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and capable of preserving a secret.' in one or two places in England?' made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in late." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "You have compromised yourself seriously." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the bottom.' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few neither fascinating nor artistic." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Have you good authority for what you say?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. 1.F. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "I am to be neutral?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way little adventures." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" you understand?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "We must have a cab." will take you up to see the machine.' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Yes." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "What, then?" "Did you observe the colour?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried emerged. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the should be so warm over such a trifle." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "But you have hopes?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough ways of our fellow-men." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been there in twenty minutes." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back triumphant cloud from his cigarette. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. remarked. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have remarked. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a photograph?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Thank you. And your address?" "How did you deduce the select?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "None." to me. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "What! Had he lost his wife?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were all?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew presented more singular features than that which was associated "And Irene Adler?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who hurried by. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made locked. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit one or two very singular points about this room. For example, character. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us that you can jump it.' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I will get her to show me." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go not use it unless it is absolutely needed." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling