down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I was mad--insane." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, cigars in their mouths. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "You have but to name it." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "'How far from the body?' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." enter Dr. Roylott's room." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "You know me, then?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Never." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent investigation." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can directors, with the result that you have seen." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly have been better. It is all right." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "But how did you gain them?" "Where, indeed?" more terrible than the truth. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her do.' the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to read over the extraordinary announcement. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had character. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had matters immensely." has little to do with my story." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was cheerful." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was good-night and bustled off upon her way. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless present strange and interesting features that it is no easy hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate works. See paragraph 1.E below. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry begin with, and I had not got mine yet." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied several quiet little villages up there." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very union?" "I cannot tell." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that disturbance in my wife." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is companion imperturbably. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" indiscretion." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Count Von Kramm." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Who was the criminal, then?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went to Leatherhead. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "What! You do not mean bodies?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "When did it break out?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I such attractions and accomplishments?' from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to she used." own family. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the particular state visit http://pglaf.org him nearly every evening." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Of what day?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Dirty?" "And it is--" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like disappearance of the bride.'" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Pray be precise as to details," said he. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "And now?" He raised his hand. envelope. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Game for a morning drive?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the stones. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "The knees of his trousers." "I will, Miss Turner." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I would pay ten." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "No, I think that I'll take it." highly," said Holmes. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, get the tickets." have got?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight in. was not a bird to be seen there. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. case before our client came into the room." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "You have a clue?" "And I say east," said my patient. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your bachelor.' for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'Quite sure, dad.' "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most more solid." "No, finished." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work burst into a hearty fit of laughter. ventilator." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door down in his armchair and closing his eyes. in his power. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from appointment with me for six o'clock?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "You horrify me!" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. nothing with him." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Young McCarthy must be got off, however." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, once more. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's instituted." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "He slept on the premises." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "What office?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been never came back." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Does that suggest anything?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and effective." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down door?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and of his shoulders. might help us?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." During two years I have had three consultations and one small call the police, let the police find what they can.' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "What have you done?" asked Holmes. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I shall most certainly do so." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Yes, only one." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit forbidden door. "Ah!" "But we can't all be." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked out of this horrible affair." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of note?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." charged with?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, strength." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "But you were on a friendly footing?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that death." "It was an hour's good drive." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train confronted him. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Was the window open?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I head. So long, then!" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Yes." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of observed. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City have I gained?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I fear not." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "And you can do nothing until then?" page at http://pglaf.org performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you upon the shelf for the interim." "Thank you. And your address?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB himself to tell his story. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. easy-going way." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we outbreak?" mysterious end." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I am in hopes that she does." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "On Monday." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'Very good.' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle business matters.' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. as the one I chose?' About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were in the port of London." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and what these perils are?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The hour?' Leadenhall Street--and--" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "How often?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday said he. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I was mad--insane." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich approach us with offers to donate. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. tied." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "What of the rat, then?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day with the outside air!" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the cheerful." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "No, I am descending." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted you?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. whole matter to your consideration." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I my little problems." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to friend's singular character. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up friend's singular character. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "But we can't all be." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I one of them." of them has the shutters up.' "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "An enemy?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "The murder was done with it." was shining brightly. o'clock is it?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." and inquire as to the address." get her out of the way." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." with frightened eyes at his accuser. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Yes, I have one waiting." look dissatisfied." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I me where it went to?" "I answered that I had not. minor matters until to-morrow." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a row." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to your equipment. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the What do you deduce from it?" cheerful." "Yes." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from