"Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of I approached. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. noting anything else of interest. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police allusion to a rat. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A were unconscious?" the station." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "But your client--" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door once more on the important position which you have been fortunate garden below. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your asked with his eyes open. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of there in twenty minutes." "'Where could I find him?' the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Then, as to money?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yes, I have one waiting." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'Certainly not.' "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at confronted him. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He situation." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the of the vacancies.' was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Seven!" I answered. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "In the cells." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Then I shall certainly come." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite husband's writing, madam." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had made his money." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I notes," he said. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "What office?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent weapon." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Foundation thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. upon the sideboard." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." lamp. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Upon what point?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. it." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "He disappeared so suddenly." "Witness: Nothing definite. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Where does the thing come from?' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "What! Had he lost his wife?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "A thing like a cleaver," said he. next day. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An arrested. You then--" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" key of the affair now." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through shall not find me ungrateful." that threaten you." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. to surprise her." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey when you have done it." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Where to?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Pope's Court. vault. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their all?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "When did it break out?" and put his glass in his pocket. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. of a light. himself to hunt down. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A showing my impatience. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "What then?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I think that I had better go, Holmes." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "And why?" amused." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing of his shoulders. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "She walked into the breakfast-room." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a of receipt of the work. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with next day. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the side-table." humiliation." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten south, for the country is more deserted there." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the events, Mr. Windibank!" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the you understand?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for be best to do. "In the cells." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of I held the little printed slip to the light. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, hands. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young absolutely follow my advice in every respect." pictures, libraries, or plate. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the nursery. manager. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the salesman. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution You can understand that this register and diary may implicate deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Countess of Morcar's?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the station." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "No, distinctly professional." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect But Holmes shook his head gravely. intrusion of other matters." I leave." became a certainty. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and with her." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "You are hungry," I remarked. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what for the market.' rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his bill, which interests me deeply." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Eh? What was that?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in made him keep the appointment." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security when you have done it." most interesting one." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting tassel actually lying upon the pillow. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "She told me to ask you." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "How do you know, then?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "But I have heard all that you have heard." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, a good hundred miles off by now." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "And how in the world did you find them?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was sparkled upon his finger. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, least a most suspicious remark." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Stoke Moran." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, you came in." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "It is a murder, then?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they go--none." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set tapping his fingers upon the table. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King not come at once?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other lumber-room." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. rose-bushes. "And how in the world did you find them?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his father's place of business?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. already referred to. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I think that it is very probable." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at I shall communicate with you." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their village inn over there?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read to have been novel and of interest." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been me have 200 pounds?' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Texas, I think." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa unclasping of his long thin hands. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them head. So long, then!" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly rose-bushes. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was kindly on the shoulder. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish said I. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the call you and give you the chance." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" sooner or later she must fall a victim. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. purpose of examination. "And I." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that success. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as again, where I was soon asleep. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "When did she vanish, then?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Where to?" someone who had been in Australia." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "None." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Come in!" said he. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose