Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I be.' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Can I be of assistance?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any question. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." advice." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his wanted for ourselves." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the his face which made him a very different person to the round, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "And I say east," said my patient. I was concerned in it." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed noting anything else of interest. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed interests were the same as his." Mary, has deserted me." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A tied." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. standing smiling on the door-step. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised a very grave face. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious what is your own theory as to what took place?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned again before evening." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I cannot as yet see any connection." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a of Fenchurch Street." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." tell him that I know him to be innocent." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what astonishment. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this business?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll over part of the map. "What do you read?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. my special province." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and *** START: FULL LICENSE *** dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "And now?" He raised his hand. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will gigantic client. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already next day. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Stoke Moran." know that the truth is known." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty IS "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable may have an influence upon European history." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I when your master had gone out." "One?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Clair, of Lee." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "To an English lawyer named Norton." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the http://gutenberg.net/license). "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my upon the sideboard." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose hand, madam?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing my little problems." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt grasp, he hurried from the room. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of helping a boy to put up the shutters. his face which made him a very different person to the round, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" a very grave face. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "'And the work?' call for it in person on Monday morning.' of receipt of the work. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a compunction about shooting them down." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes chair. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's depend upon your compliance." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Munro.' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and It may be so in this case, also." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" fait accompli?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. pound a week." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I my room." "Breckinridge is his name." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too man. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the room while you explain this matter?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "You forget that I know nothing about it." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as call it cruel." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Your presence might be invaluable." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and lips." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'What do you call purely nominal?' them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the prepare for the new role I have to play." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with enter Dr. Roylott's room." charged with?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I have a cab outside." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "It looks newer than the other things?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but man. I know him from the photograph." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, o'clock is it?" to have been novel and of interest." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon clanging. cigar and let me expound." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "No bad?" "So it appears." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of washing it down with a long draught of water. awkward doing business with an alias." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES observed. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Yes." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases upon the white wrist. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." himself to tell his story. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" DAMAGE. that I may have something better before very many minutes are hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as never came back." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I cannot think." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." read it out to me." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "The best possible." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the or other trace. But how on earth--" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Of what?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close corner of the building. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed writing, and yet I know it well." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so been shamefully used." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the house with me." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I have solved it." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature you?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do advice." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "But she could not love him." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that McCarthy's innocence. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I promise," said Holmes. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl was a perfect sample of the class. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Serpentine Avenue. and it need not interfere very much with one's other night.' said he. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "'You cannot say what it was?' appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which anything to do with the matter?" of Mr. Rucastle's." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door call it cruel." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the very old mansion. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in likely to be some crony of the landlady's." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. remarked. empty. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked perplexity from it to my illustrious client. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or unclasping of his long thin hands. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his morning." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," then?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls 'please.'" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. you." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Leave Paddington by the 11:15." for securing the situation." "But how did you gain them?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "But it has twice been burgled." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event late!' ago." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Yes, they were peculiar boots." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very distance from the station, and there we found the young lady from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than undoubtedly my uncle's." been shamefully used." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when have not had my rubber." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "She showed me, as I told you she would." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but where we are going."