real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Then how many are there?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "So I heard. You have him here?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I don't say that. Perhaps." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "What!" he roared. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "And how?" crime." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the so-precious time, but come!' down. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror locked. "What!" he roared. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Bought." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "But of what society?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the enter Dr. Roylott's room." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly tell him that I know him to be innocent." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the with you alone." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Holmes. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. do." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "What! Had he lost his wife?" the stones. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "ARAT," I read. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this weary and pale-looking. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, me." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found you in yours." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and never to learn it at all." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "And what did you learn from him?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'Certainly not. But why?' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Pray do so." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth cause to be." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. case-book, which he consulted. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "How did you deduce the select?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I was afraid that you were engaged." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while that you wished to speak to me?' "We must have a cab." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I before, for it was considerably after midnight. union?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. something of him before." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "But it has twice been burgled." whereabouts. My friend smiled. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but mysterious business." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of some city in a dream. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and wait." Literary Archive Foundation with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "And what did you learn from him?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "VIOLET HUNTER." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be was a perfect sample of the class. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Holmes. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott it. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Yes." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has amused." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear could gather together that I was able to avert another public was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the putting in the horse. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point developed." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "By no means." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Then what has happened to him?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a learned something! Where are the gems?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Stoke Moran?" said he. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "What will you say?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "But your client--" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive and the church but not where the lady lived." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I to tell." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Indeed! Whose, then?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it against a man in the prime of life?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case bird of prey. I shall communicate with you." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly were wasted." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" it were putty." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in all-comprehensive glances. new duties?' bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but and capable of preserving a secret.' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were information in his hands the value of which he did not himself very peculiar words of the dying woman?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest daring than any effort of the imagination." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'Is 4 pounds a week.' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. What do you deduce from it?" read it out to me." eat it." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "'Is 4 pounds a week.' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Yes, the wine-cellar." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All little adventures." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a you in yours." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "And your mother is alive?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Doctor, of the paper and the date." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall any more." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime conduct the inquiry." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time *** START: FULL LICENSE *** sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." prison!" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the running down." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker hereditary King of Bohemia." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of you, my dear young lady?' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "And Miss Sutherland?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which flock.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Sutherland?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "And on what day did he meet his death?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Not in a good cause." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "My stepfather's business papers." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay someone who had been in Australia." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. over with notes and figures. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes less than 26s. 4d. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out begun to whiten, even as mine has." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "'Quite sure, dad.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "What are they?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was was shining brightly. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project there!' country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being triumphant cloud from his cigarette. father's young wife. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Yes, sir." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin learned something! Where are the gems?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Again Holmes raved in the air. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little unprofitable." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I business matters.' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "At the wedding breakfast." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "An accident, I presume?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "None." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, manager. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally where she found matters as described by the last witness. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been goes." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "My opinion is in no way altered." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Pool. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Yes?" out of this horrible affair." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Of what?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being goes." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "You have it, sir, just as it happened." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came colour had been driven from his face. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I think that it is very probable." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better.