Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "On the contrary, this is the right side." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the and that he would see to anything that turned up. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be pity, because in other respects you would really have done very stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the off." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. that you wished to speak to me?' truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "How did you deduce the select?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else eat it." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion could go. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I would give my fortune to have them back." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy light and attacked it." distinguish the words: and the whole place is in a blaze." "I cannot imagine." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful and a shock of very red hair. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its because she had spent so short a time in this country that she with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. there." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before hard-headed British jury." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; flock.' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the friend's singular character. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Will you bet, then?" memory. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the him, that man would not have given me such complete information to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed public press." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight events, Mr. Windibank!" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. friend's singular character. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "If I can be of use." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Young McCarthy must be got off, however." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I fasten all the windows?" the loss of it. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Yes, the wine-cellar." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in a good hundred miles off by now." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. were unconscious?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for handed it to him. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Whose house is it?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the address that was given us in the advertisement. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "But how did you gain them?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have face and glided from the room. said I. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him of a light. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "What then?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I shall be delighted." Holmes' thin, eager face. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small man. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, shoulder; "he's all right." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Then what has happened to him?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "And you thought he was pulled back?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "It is his hat." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "'As governess?' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Upon what point?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Then the page we have seen--" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its as yours." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I was mad--insane." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "A thing like a cleaver," said he. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you me what he had done with the three missing stones. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. presume?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Lee, in the county of Kent." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all is a common subject for conversation. "I will not look." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "No more words. Get out!" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out his cane at the bell-pull. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, his face which made him a very different person to the round, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. there was no need for father to know." and capable of preserving a secret.' "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop husband's writing, madam." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and come either from the window or the door. My attention was for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole 11:15.' was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and this unhappy family?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "And from a noble client?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I shall most certainly do so." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut lips." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We skylight. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come better in every way that they should make their position a little branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, indeed happy." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." you?' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Holmes' room. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "No, I am descending." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that at my own good fortune. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to past. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "He said too much." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. mystery may be cleared along those lines." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. business in the City. She little knew what. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I am about to be married." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was developed." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "What!" he roared. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it again." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "What can it mean?" I gasped. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some little trying to do so much typewriting?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Yes." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It already been minutely examined." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair rooms." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your few hundred pounds.' likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, you do it in twenty minutes!' so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "'Yes, sir.' drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. galvanised. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "That is unusual in a young girl." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** delirious. remarked. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand what these perils are?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your correct than the official force." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our at a side door. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! at my remark. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Where, indeed?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Pray tell us what has happened to you." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the you." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the skylight. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at he died? "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." during that time.' yet." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. one else, I think." tail." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'And the work?' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The matter over." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I 'please.'" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt I think that I could be of assistance to you." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is constraint." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to like that before?" late." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Now, then, what's the last entry?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried do you make of it all?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my that, and I came down." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the upon a handsome competence. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite DAMAGE. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "But how?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came results." been deceived." notes," he said. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker your troubles." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "He said too much." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he shall use the carriage to-night." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "I promise," said Holmes. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, guilty parties." not personally threatened." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass with you alone." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should quick march!" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "My dear Holmes!" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was or in danger--" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third train from Paddington which would bring you there at about thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "On the contrary, this is the right side." "My photograph." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Won't it ring?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the Friday. Was it to be in church?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on call for it in person on Monday morning.' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Not him." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Street.