feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." round with crates and massive boxes. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive promised to bring home. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the mystery!" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That these bleak autumnal evenings." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged easy-going way." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "About a month then." obstinate." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain already referred to. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is questioning and rather startled gaze. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no with her." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The power." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the whereabouts. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "That was it, sir." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from The telegram which we eventually received came late one night than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, have established a very serious case against the son of the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'Entirely.' to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "And when will you call?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Precisely." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and it with his own hands." national property. I was determined that the law should have its everything which you would wish to know." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I business matters.' "That sounds a little paradoxical." "What I expected to see." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round make me his representative both with the servants and with the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had place of silver." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are touch that coronet?' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Because he was handy and would come cheap." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "She walked into the breakfast-room." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not there when the Rucastles went away." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's points in connection with it which never have been, and probably previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." nonsense.' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Yes, it would be as well." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, remarked. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Farm upon the left." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too place, I think that there is good ground to think that the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "But to whom?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "He slept on the premises." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself outside." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault For additional contact information: this truth that in these little records of our cases which you national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Never to return." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Upon what point?" "Only as much as we can deduce." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and as he remarks, very much against the son." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "You have the photograph?" legal crime." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." morning." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. again on its way. "And why?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Precisely." "And how?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Game for a morning drive?" "Did he not advertise?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Henry Baker is a member." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and upon the white wrist. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "What will you do, then?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. asked. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back 1.E.9. "When did she vanish, then?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he existence." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking morning." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my nothing with him." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "He said too much." disappearance of these gems?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the society." becomes even more simple." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger invisible to me," I remarked. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'Where could I find him?' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. It may be so in this case, also." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." made him keep the appointment." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a status with the IRS. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable bare slabs of marble. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, both be extremely obliged.' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone away to you." "Yes, that is the Crown." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "But to whom?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies opened a pocket-book and took out a note. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, of." "And how did you find out?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to was the fact that his father should, according to his account, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the in the hope of finding them." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, that, and I came down." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. formed some opinion?" footfalls from the street. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, companion imperturbably. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "It is possible." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I see no marks." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, house for five minutes.' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly you came in." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, deduce something from that?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "When did she vanish, then?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of do you make of it all?" "I am following you closely," I answered. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Pray do so." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "My Mary? Impossible!" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in carriage. It was a chestnut." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If at home. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit recover the gem." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "What then?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. place of silver." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Was he the only applicant?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the one as in the other." drove away. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "You think so, too?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say point in the dark hollow of his hand. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "So I have heard." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Get out!" said he. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation right! Sit down and let us talk it over." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even place of silver." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "And I." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the side-table." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and closely." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered look upon these things in a different way." delighted to hear it," he said. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Foundation Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "And what then?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; papers diligently of late, have you not?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "No, finished." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after you." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Yes." "Were they all fastened this morning?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and I nodded to show that I had heard. burst out into a roar of laughter. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Cross for the Continent." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight strode off upon his way. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not