and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," you in yours." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole not personally threatened." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to when your master had gone out." will he say when he returns?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with think, you have already met." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just garden below. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over directors have had misgivings upon the subject." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "That is easily got." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Yes, sir." "My stepfather's business papers." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower if she died from some sudden fright." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "The landlord of the Alpha." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, happened." "I was afraid that you were engaged." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of his grey eyes. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that her also." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold 1.E.9. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. make me his representative both with the servants and with the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. asked. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his companion imperturbably. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself affection." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning whole matter to your consideration." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Come in!" said Holmes. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "And you thought he was pulled back?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard deduce something from that?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but stalked out of the room. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up your only hope of safety." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the over with notes and figures. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the very morning of the wedding." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said three fields round his house, and there he would take his McCarthy." beg that you will break it off." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Only as much as we can deduce." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "It is possible." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored waste of energy." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this into her hand at the door and which lured her within their I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged following enigmatical notices: of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears in him." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "No." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'Yes.' shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the little opening for the ventilator is." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Gutenberg-tm License. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." business." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I that threaten you." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the meant it for the best. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the warnings." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the ceiling. death." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "No, my brougham is waiting." "Witness: I must still refuse. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy success. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, in the dead of the night?' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the later, upon the night of May 2nd." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely it were putty." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: London for the present?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "What!" he roared. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced whereabouts. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Yes." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, such attractions and accomplishments?' blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised upon the shelf for the interim." suddenly upon us." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Well, it is a possible supposition." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran any." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "10th. John Swain cleared. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of compunction about shooting them down." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are particular state visit http://pglaf.org was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a of Mr. Rucastle's." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the written. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I am to be neutral?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "None." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the general public were present, then?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her were wasted." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" roused himself from his reverie. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could pressing in one house as in another. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I companion imperturbably. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of voice. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing nonsense.' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he corner of the building. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Yes." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the iron safe, which he closed upon it. side. dramatic, in fact." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." unkempt, staring out at me. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five brain must have something in it." some city in a dream. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not have not had my rubber." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress advice." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "And you can do nothing until then?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "No, my brougham is waiting." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. notes," he said. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" wedding?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth McCarthy." "'Yes, sir.' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'Then let me do so?' black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such not use it unless it is absolutely needed." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be province." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very nice household for a young lady." easy-going way." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Perfectly so." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, woman." populous neighbourhood." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is outside. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more about. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "What will you say?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps hour." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not happened." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of of a light. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Nothing?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones green of the new foliage. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case within hail.' "'I shall certainly be there.' Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Oh, the cause is excellent!" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters searched, without anything being found which could incriminate disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred of Mr. Rucastle's." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of *** START: FULL LICENSE *** your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "He said too much." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Countess of Morcar's?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that