"Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "I would give my fortune to have them back." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Then what has happened to him?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue despaired of." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'In my own bureau.' "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body bed dies. Does not that strike you?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached help us in this matter." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes wall." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I cannot say that I have." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us will not take me long to tell. speckled band?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and approach us with offers to donate. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that conceal it?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. speckled band?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** cigars in their mouths. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he fasten all the windows?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the row." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned my room." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his amused." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the British peeress.'" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my room?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "It is a murder, then?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, individual and becomes the badge of a society." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises my special province." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "No, finished." "That is easily got." mystery." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "And your mother is alive?" lumber-room." in a very precise fashion." ceremony." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "The landlord of the Alpha." gives a meaning to it." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be business matters.' was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Dr. Becher's." for securing the situation." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy not fit the lock." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, village inn over there?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Watson," he said cordially. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my his fortune, and I went back to pa. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to again before evening." "I shall be delighted." arrangements." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no ordinary clothes on?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, said he. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An 11:15.' some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the trifles." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a I approached. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms never will be, entirely cleared up. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "And how did you verify them?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' there was no need for father to know." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." minor matters until to-morrow." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Nor running a chance of arrest?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding that you wished to speak to me?' been shamefully used." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just introspective fashion. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, new acquaintance to Baker Street. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. It may be so in this case, also." "9th. McCauley cleared. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Dark enough and sinister enough." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. case-book, which he consulted. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "By train from Waterloo." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in British peeress.'" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I people in all walks of life. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will yet." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. business matters.' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon tied." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little giving me time to thank him. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "My private note-paper." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not careless servant girl?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Certainly." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you invisible to me," I remarked. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the coronet in his hand?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no During two years I have had three consultations and one small sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "It must be recovered." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do that before taking the final step I should like to submit the that he will be back before evening." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and my secret was safe in his possession. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with than to us. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Mrs. Toller serenely. 1.E.9. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "You are hungry," I remarked. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." has little to do with my story." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations seen the man in the road." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "My dear Holmes!" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But call it cruel." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was could not account in any way for the presence of the missing more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I have seen the police." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'I am sure that I do not know.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building night.' said he. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, least a most suspicious remark." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very learned something! Where are the gems?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its in one or two places in England?' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Does that suggest anything?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable matter." as this. Pray let me have the details." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'I am sure that I do not know.' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to was lame." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and put his glass in his pocket. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may most important business. It is probable that he will be away all and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, in this way: entirely devoid of interest." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me wedding?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' kindly on the shoulder. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Quite so. She has her freedom." States. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, mysterious business." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Miss Holder?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" him to go away.' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Quite so. She has her freedom." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you and the colonel ushered me in. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'About the same.' but preventing her from injuring another. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far dead, shall be safe with us." returned to France?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "ARAT," I read. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring have I gained?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, here and I will read it to you: Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too to-morrow." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Will you go?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of ready to-morrow?' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "'Never,' said I. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That interested in these little problems, and since you are good "'Why that?' I asks. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Of what day?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not taking in every detail of the apartment. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Of what?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If could gather together that I was able to avert another public gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Married! When?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, distinguish the words: imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. stalked out of the room. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." could go. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "One of his hands." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS