upon the sideboard." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, three fields round his house, and there he would take his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over standing smiling on the door-step. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This hereditary King of Bohemia." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put papers on the sundial.'" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' least a most suspicious remark." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down certainly do as you advise." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Very murderous indeed." "I fear not." felt the room to be a little close.' "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was mysterious business." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "And now?" I asked. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working some place of shelter and let the county police know what has office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Nor running a chance of arrest?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is for the market.' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that one which it was hard to resist. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Very much so." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow constraint." heavy and sharp instrument." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just or other trace. But how on earth--" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the side-table." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness completely overtopped every other consideration that we both deduce something from that?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'Yes, I promise.' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few least a most suspicious remark." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let pressing in one house as in another. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Well." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project not as remarkable as your advertisement." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between my little problems." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot completely overtopped every other consideration that we both if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us instincts rose up against that laugh. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at of the efforts of the United States government and of the better stepfather?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you wall." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to and put his glass in his pocket. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in gigantic client. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the at a side door. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the King without delay." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "No, but the enclosure is." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered formed some opinion?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. in him." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "You horrify me!" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Upon what point?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "That is unusual in a young girl." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "You think so, too?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De III. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which him nearly every evening." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had be sorry for having acted so harshly." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be charge against him will break down." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Gutenberg-tm License. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I gbnewby@pglaf.org instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in so.' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "What do you mean?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and remarked. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'Certainly not.' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself details." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "'Very good.' twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "That sounds a little paradoxical." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "About a month then." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some wedding?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as definite end. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to His smile broadened. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "It is a murder, then?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and mystery may be cleared along those lines." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "By no means." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter vanished into the darkness. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "And you don't know his address?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Absolutely none." "This photograph!" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the my former friend and companion. "And help." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his most important business. It is probable that he will be away all much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Bought." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that exactly what you advise." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw in. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double galvanised. "I will, Miss Turner." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "No, but the enclosure is." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Why, it's a dummy," said he. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of enter Dr. Roylott's room." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'It is locked up,' I answered. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "You did not overhear what they said?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." you." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "He said that you could solve anything." "What then?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off crime. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "But how will you look?" past. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught is entirely a question of barometric pressure." http://www.gutenberg.net other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us present." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his too. late!' during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'It is locked up,' I answered. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. garden below. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door to-morrow." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the best of training." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Absolutely?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Why did you beat the pavement?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, that, and I came down." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you it means?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the it." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out him, that man would not have given me such complete information The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the coronet at all injured?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. points to suicide?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of you." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place side. "And why in hopes?" it. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Yes, all." highroad, where all traces were lost. "Oh, fresh and glossy." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught any more." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "It is solved." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average forecastle of an emigrant ship. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Thank you. Pray proceed." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Where, then, is my wife?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "And now?" I asked. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to young Openshaw's." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "The landlord of the Alpha." skylight. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to families. Now for the facts. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a me have 200 pounds?' at my own good fortune. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "I was sure that I might rely on you." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no lids now and glanced across at his visitor. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Where, indeed?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the your billet.' read over the extraordinary announcement. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I cannot tell." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that as this. Pray let me have the details." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted ourselves in the office." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the lectures into a series of tales." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb astonishment. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. man. I know him from the photograph." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. you do it in twenty minutes!' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Your presence might be invaluable." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Yes, sir." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little