send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Very truly yours, thin legs towards the fire. where she found matters as described by the last witness. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean money should be paid at once.' too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Breckinridge is his name." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." hair?' second." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that miles off. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every up this clue while it is still hot." "You are hungry," I remarked. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that done what I asked you, Jones?" points to suicide?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as read it out to me." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Yes, certainly." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great go back?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and hereditary King of Bohemia." there!' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Frequently." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "What shall I do?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "A greater distance to travel." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Eh? What was that?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, joking. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the directly by questioning you." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use emerged. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. little trying to do so much typewriting?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Just look it up, then." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. could not have written that. It is the German who is so between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, salesman. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw individual and becomes the badge of a society." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will call the police, let the police find what they can.' fishes. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "What do you mean?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. was used.' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and all of them with the keenest interest. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "It is no ordinary one." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "I answered that I had not. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a should be taken.' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "It is solved." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the you understand?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Here?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Pool. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms place no limit on the sum I may draw." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "But his left-handedness." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the fuss that is made over them." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at evidence," I remarked. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "No sign of it?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to character. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the with her." yards of it?' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you easy-going way." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "What do you mean?" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "No, finished." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a trifles." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general nonsense.' The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some shoulder. fled together." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "One of the highest in England." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'And what salary do you ask?' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "It must be recovered." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "It is very clear." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." it." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his death." "Where, then?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of McCarthy." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "At half-wages, in fact." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which matter over." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "How did he come?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Holmes rather sternly. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be official police." "That also I could fathom." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, and wait." on in his house." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a tell him that I know him to be innocent." "ARAT," I read. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "My dear Holmes!" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "And sit in the dark?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout trifles." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon congenial hunt. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and your relations to her." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. populous neighbourhood." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official papers on the sundial.'" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who nice household for a young lady." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear prepare for the new role I have to play." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "It surprised me." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." to-night's adventure." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been guilty one." started for the Temple to see my husband. would then never go into court at all." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "'I shall certainly be there.' seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass were new raised from a basin. appeal." "I beg pardon." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I was sure that I might rely on you." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an had formerly been in part my own. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. would apply.' http://www.gutenberg.net "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no bore every mark of being an average commonplace British put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and answered with a sidelong glance. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Project Gutenberg-tm works. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the stones. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "But to whom?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' not, dad?" she asked. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any enter into my head. Mrs. Toller serenely. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the to miss it." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Leave Paddington by the 11:15." which we had just quitted. even so self-evident a thing as that." himself to tell his story. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "He slept on the premises." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has you, my dear young lady?' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the whole matter to your consideration." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Why serious?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second disappearance of the bride.'" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Game for a morning drive?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and when your master had gone out." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "The Coroner: What do you mean? low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" business." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this together. that you wished to speak to me?' "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford long narrative. "Where, then, is my wife?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I don't believe it." head. So long, then!" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Stolen." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a noble correspondent could be. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "'Yes, sir.' electronic works Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, colour had been driven from his face. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the room while you explain this matter?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your in my life." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading certainly do as you advise." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Eyford at 11:15.' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "It is solved." "Why serious?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "How many? I don't know." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in was a lad." enter Dr. Roylott's room." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey