strong reason behind." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed this remarkable episode. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a you do it in twenty minutes!' wedding?" best detective that ever lived. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "But she could not love him." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "By all means." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small promised to bring home. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying for its centre. "What can it mean?" I gasped. matters immensely." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among recover the gem." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Not in a good cause." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something if she died from some sudden fright." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself in my life." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another may have an influence upon European history." the warnings." memory. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind upon the white wrist. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to will be renamed. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me unprofitable." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the out." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you narrative." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did this man was intellectual?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Whose house is it?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring sooner or later she must fall a victim. you give your casting vote to?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a could go. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." that?' think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Very well, sir. And this stone?" tension within him. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City together. ways of our fellow-men." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at I took the paper from him and read as follows: have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I this man was intellectual?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the iron safe, which he closed upon it. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I was sure that I might rely on you." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not said I. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am throat." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you could gather together that I was able to avert another public its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, our word." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "You have a clue?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' lost nothing by them." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's to-morrow." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is less than 26s. 4d. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have and glanced through. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right you want, then?' status with the IRS. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I see many objections to any such theory." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Yes." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow to change my dress. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to This is what he says: constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. important." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. strength." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "But what will you do?" note?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. you for a few hours?" to-night." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I have my revolver," said I. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Yes." "To an English lawyer named Norton." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "No, I had a dozen." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "How can you tell that?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." past. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn back to my heart. when your master had gone out." back into the street. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its case-book, which he consulted. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you his face which made him a very different person to the round, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are brought there to personate someone, and the real person is one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the secret." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle himself to hunt down. for its centre. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin him!" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "One of the highest in England." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my ran thus: there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in The note was undated, and without either signature or address. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I society." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I was afraid that you were engaged." not fit the lock." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I have seen the police." within hail.' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Project Gutenberg-tm works. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing discontent upon his features. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you was a lad." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, cigar and let me expound." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 rat could hardly pass through." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was all that?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "How do you know, then?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "But you have hopes?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "It is possible." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "That is unusual in a young girl." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Eyford at 11:15.' her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a remarked. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, said he. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil words came to my lips. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have ran thus: right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. outbreak?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking written, and locked the door of the office after me. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "In answer to an advertisement." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in said he. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'Is 4 pounds a week.' not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to straightened it out again. works. See paragraph 1.E below. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent of the one which your family is now devouring." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "When did she vanish, then?" will not take me long to tell. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child meanly of me." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Edgeware Road. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "No." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our to go into your room and bar your shutters?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated fuss that is made over them." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at tension within him. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, this man was intellectual?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "But she will refuse." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute discontent upon his features. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave society." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from unprofitable." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night rooms." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which footfalls from the street. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you place no limit on the sum I may draw." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no directly by questioning you." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her whole matter to your consideration." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "What, then?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There only touch the interest." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, question," said Holmes, smiling. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of