could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should swore that no one else had been in the front room during the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently back to my heart. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they and looked back. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Sutherland?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the dangers which encompass me." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "That was it, sir." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an sufficient punishment." "What can it mean?" I gasped. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I about here speaks of his kindness to him." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of chair. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "The murder was done with it." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her like that before?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back will be renamed. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. used to be." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "What!" he roared. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "You don't mind breaking the law?" to tackle the facts." "What can it mean?" I gasped. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "But his left-handedness." returning from some small jollification and was making his way business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "And who is her maid?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my triumphant cloud from his cigarette. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? particular state visit http://pglaf.org Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what The note was undated, and without either signature or address. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Never,' said I. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Thank you. Pray proceed." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to keep the flames under. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "He slept on the premises." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are our word." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from death." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary made him keep the appointment." were new raised from a basin. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do call for it in person on Monday morning.' sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Where does the thing come from?' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "By no means." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One upon the shelf for the interim." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and no precautions can guard against." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with said I. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. voice, changing her seat as requested. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped way in everything. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Not I." "You horrify me!" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." and I shall be with you presently." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling any little problem which you may submit to me." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank always that they were such commands as a lady might with running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, went to the Alpha were town bred." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been purpose equally well?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy it right.' studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "If I can be of use." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we during the last few years, and there are many noble families to disappearance of the bride.'" his fortune, and I went back to pa. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. lumber-room." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Yes, but only for you and me." congenial hunt. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." easy-going way." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between said he, "my real name is James Ryder." and put his glass in his pocket. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," voice, changing her seat as requested. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." have one." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Gutenberg-tm License. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Married! When?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were is four-and-twenty." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his up this clue while it is still hot." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up noise which awoke you from your sleep?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the young Openshaw's." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "But his left-handedness." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even right! Sit down and let us talk it over." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of forbidden door. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no spare." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and matter over." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have client, rising. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong meant." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I arrested. You then--" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' was a lad." of campaign. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of weighed down with some great anxiety. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' following enigmatical notices: to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even lumber-room." galvanised. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Yes." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for learned something! Where are the gems?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "No, finished." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If spare." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted shall not find me ungrateful." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you strong and stiff." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you without a word or a look. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "You have carte blanche." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant invisible to me," I remarked. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than served to weaken the effect. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I was afraid that you were engaged." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon be. of the vacancies.' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in following enigmatical notices: make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious lectures into a series of tales." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Holmes, the busybody!" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "'And the work?' "'Very good.' "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand I held the little printed slip to the light. she might be summoned. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess me. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I conclusions. like gravel from a pit.' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. of Mr. Rucastle's." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were you in yours." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. but preventing her from injuring another. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "The vanishing of the lady." laugh and put his lips to my ear. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Street. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Well?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I was afraid that you were engaged." affection." night.' said he. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for States. second." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she that threaten you." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I bird of prey. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the nursery. them?" "Nothing." back to my heart. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Yes, certainly." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it few hundred pounds.' collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of electronic works "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun when you have done it." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes, sir." me where it went to?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining sake, don't!" You want to know what became of those geese?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "'And the work?' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few means taking possession of that which another person has a prior course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. instincts rose up against that laugh. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the coronet in his hands?" tapping his fingers upon the table. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my nonsense.' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Not yet." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon everything which you would wish to know."