I nodded to show that I had heard. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a address. "I cannot think." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but were unconscious?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Indeed! Whose, then?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I if I call to-morrow?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "No, finished." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Then I do not see the point." these bleak autumnal evenings." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down fishes. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the house with me." "And I." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. to-morrow." the matter." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the one as in the other." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I have my revolver," said I. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "The knees of his trousers." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the south-west, I see." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. thought that she would have been so carried away." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the minor matters until to-morrow." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of a light. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is learned something! Where are the gems?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that until night should bring an explanation. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Has he come with you to-night?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I would give my fortune to have them back." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of shall use the carriage to-night." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' me." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was national property. I was determined that the law should have its the coronet in his hands?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the fire. You quite follow me?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the bottom.' sufficient punishment." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "No, I think that I'll take it." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to in this note: This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Who was the criminal, then?" once more. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. daring than any effort of the imagination." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "No, I had a dozen." seen the man in the road." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high happened." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and other lovers by making love himself." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "And I say east," said my patient. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible arms and began to sob in a high treble key. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the said I. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "But how?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf public press." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, that, and I came down." the dangers which encompass me." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "That is not always so easy." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" which are rolled in Rotterdam." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be out of this horrible affair." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I should like to see him very much." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "So I have heard." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. forehead. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." she used." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Perfectly so." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work long narrative. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, said he. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the companion. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the child." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united father's place of business?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of whatever might befall. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking address. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the night.' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank where Mr. Fordham shows you.' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit a room. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "No, I had a dozen." "On Monday." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive colour had been driven from his face. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid a very grave face. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must geese which you supplied to the Alpha." a little more before I quite committed myself. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Then you may be so with me." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "It certainly sounds feasible." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Holmes' thin, eager face. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled there." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So bird of prey. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must into the bag, and made for the door. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback chambers. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Farm upon the left." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a his wife has ceased to love him." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical that I can to serve you." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the society." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I will not look." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring are windows in it, of course?" ventilator." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social then?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Well." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and direction." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed carried out of court." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "They are typewritten," I remarked. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high but preventing her from injuring another. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is walking." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the himself in a perplexing position. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the coronet in his hands?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the stones. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put against a man in the prime of life?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so crime. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes roused himself from his reverie. have established a very serious case against the son of the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. hopeless attempt at recovering them." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or see a sister of mine apply for." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would least a most suspicious remark." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "We must have a cab." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "No." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I was mad--insane." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" notes," he said. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the and the colonel ushered me in. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face very morning of my second wedding." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "And on what day did he meet his death?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or What do you deduce from it?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Pray let us have it, for all that." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet his grey eyes. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Yes, the wine-cellar." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have weigh very heavily upon my conscience." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the tragedy. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project cause to be." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "The best possible." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Yes, all." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two to have that photograph." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question into the room. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "About a month then." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of him!" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but keep the flames under. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense daring than any effort of the imagination." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length me upon any point which I do not make clear." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers young Openshaw's." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Yes, certainly." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and it need not interfere very much with one's other office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'You cannot say what it was?' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where all-comprehensive glances. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort John Swain, of St. Augustine. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and a shock of very red hair. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Certainly not.' as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to walking." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." careless servant girl?" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "9th. McCauley cleared. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Bought."