and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB relief. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to one else, I think." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I noble correspondent could be. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is During two years I have had three consultations and one small "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his me, and I could not think that his explanation of the empty. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "10th. John Swain cleared. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, forbidden door. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and always that they were such commands as a lady might with the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "A confidential servant?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Cross for the Continent." have not had my rubber." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties light and attacked it." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat what I may call a really hard day's work." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls noble correspondent could be. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to http://gutenberg.net/license). believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'Stolen!' he cried. "I guessed as much." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried directors have had misgivings upon the subject." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you vault. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she generous with you in money matters.' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with tear off another piece?' most important business. It is probable that he will be away all actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the II. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the His name is Francis Prosper." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a investigation." seem to you to be relevant or not." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, evidence," I remarked. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I power." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice without success. At last the little money which I had saved began remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you as he folded up the epistle. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this enter Dr. Roylott's room." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. o'clock is it?" Gutenberg-tm License. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Do you go out much in society?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'Which dealer's?' outside. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and delirious. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I was mad--insane." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple newspaper selections." "To an English lawyer named Norton." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, purpose of examination. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'Not at all. I only doubt--' at my remark. "You horrify me." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. interested in these little problems, and since you are good a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is events than those which have happened in my own family." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Well, but China?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "It is possible." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "And your mother is alive?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "But how?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring least a fellow-countryman. presume?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, existence." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "But how will you look?" burst out into a roar of laughter. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first trifles." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police where she found matters as described by the last witness. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Miss Holder?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the conceal it?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was notes," he said. detective. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of foot. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "'Certainly not.' only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "You think so, too?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' fait accompli?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up served to weaken the effect. late!' cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring records." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid gone before you can get him to hospital." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" key of the affair now." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we do you make of it all?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Leadenhall Street--and--" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do cheerful." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Yes, from Horsham." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Project Gutenberg-tm works. his fortune, and I went back to pa. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon more solid." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." placed his cuttings. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "And the cigar-holder?" "Eh? What was that?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "And I." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the tragedy. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case companion. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his words came to my lips. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "What then?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See fire. You quite follow me?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Yes." maid will bring up your coffee." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and were new raised from a basin. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "If I can be of use." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it returned to France?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left breakfast and whispered something to her husband. generous with you in money matters.' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly fuss that is made over them." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several miles off. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with brain must have something in it." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as hereditary King of Bohemia." Serpentine Avenue. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of my friend's incisive reasoning. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Quite so." "Texas, I think." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Then you may entirely rely on me." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations and put his glass in his pocket. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." infinite languor in his face. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Come in!" said he. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "'Where to?' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think she might be summoned. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. she used." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I would give my fortune to have them back." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Not social, then?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked at home. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I would give my fortune to have them back." were unconscious?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were upon an income of about 60 pounds." directors, with the result that you have seen." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Why, what do you mean?" official police." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight lumber-room." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'In my own bureau.' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I will, Miss Turner." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "What can it mean?" I gasped. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe window when the police appeared." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in crime. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly.