the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Yes." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more my friend's incisive reasoning. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you morning." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him things are very often connected not with the larger but with the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. any." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "And I to find an enemy." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for helping a boy to put up the shutters. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, get her out of the way." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'A dozen yards or so.' "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted business came to an end." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Entirely." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich night.' said he. I leave." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he which we had just quitted. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to a very grave face. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I will, Miss Turner." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted will he say when he returns?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the nursery. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your wedding?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, then?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I do." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can newspaper selections." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own enough to aid us in our search." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the in his power. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Come in!" said Holmes. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a of." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "And Irene Adler?" words came to my lips. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. chance." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" look upon these things in a different way." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of time." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Never." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well upon a handsome competence. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the ready to-morrow?' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in From what you have told me I think that it is possible that of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." behind me. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the night.' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely danger is over." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Is 4 pounds a week.' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "'Yes, sir.' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can notes," he said. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It do.' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It conceal it?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and children over to America with him, so that I found myself without monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I shall be delighted." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock *** START: FULL LICENSE *** right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present placed his cuttings. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of waste of energy." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Just look it up, then." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just interested in these little problems, and since you are good "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "A client, then?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' fishes. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Nearly eleven." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely telegram would bring me down to your help." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Bought." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is remarked. all-comprehensive glances. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn frequently gained my first real insight into the character of though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Nor running a chance of arrest?" exactly what you advise." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "What, then, did Peterson do?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "What I expected to see." "And from a noble client?" them?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner most interesting one." "Then what has happened to him?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will such person." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "What I expected to see." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he she slowly sank and died without having recovered her last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for should be taken.' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I see no marks." "I have my revolver," said I. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which all?" for its centre. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of approach us with offers to donate. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more open." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Never." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "You have carte blanche." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the intrusion of other matters." bears upon the case?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." My friend smiled. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, of Mr. Rucastle's." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable situation." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I cannot imagine." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever results." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would again on its way. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have know all about it," he snarled. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and effective." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian a little more before I quite committed myself. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "You don't mind breaking the law?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are footfalls from the street. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "That is not always so easy." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "And did you observe any change in her then?" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "It is very clear." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "By all means." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it miles off. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father letters?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," companion imperturbably. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. do." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" been with you?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain of." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in room had already been engaged for us. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt this Miss Turner." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an be. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Absolutely?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" are, and they are waiting for us." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left relation between them, and what the object of his repeated accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "It is solved." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. crime. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the comes from the middle window." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Yes." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely are, and they are waiting for us." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right seen the man in the road." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB night.' said he. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "What?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "No, I think that I'll take it." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Stolen, then." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant and laid it on the table. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Mary, has deserted me." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most just called myself is not exactly my own." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point down. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Could he throw no light?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since written, and locked the door of the office after me. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the night.' introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "By no means." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the empty. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very to his chemical studies. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who him to go away.' doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that be sorry for having acted so harshly." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting and wait." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or standing smiling on the door-step. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Eh? What was that?"