Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that which our visitor detailed to us. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to exactly what you advise." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "And how in the world did you find them?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "BALLARAT." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "It is true that I have been generally successful." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor someone who had been in Australia." have established a very serious case against the son of the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from will find little credit to be gained out of this case." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a following enigmatical notices: an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Do you know him?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Why serious?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew feature." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no over with notes and figures. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' chill to my heart. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "It is solved." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the iron safe, which he closed upon it. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in respectable self." locked." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I assure you that I am in your hands." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was should be so warm over such a trifle." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, note?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp definite end. "I was afraid that you were engaged." voice, changing her seat as requested. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper bonnet, and went out." words came to my lips. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there recall any case within my experience which looked at the first moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "If so, much may have happened between." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen quick march!" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very to affect your life." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Seven!" I answered. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "No good news?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not John Swain, of St. Augustine. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a figure." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you character. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time must compliment you." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty joking. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for peculiar to him. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A brain must have something in it." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us me." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a very old mansion. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking any little problem which you may submit to me." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next said I. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." never came back." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, important." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good been lifted and conveyed somewhere." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "No, but the enclosure is." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own indiscretion." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to IS would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I companion. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "On Monday." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" you in yours." present." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That him to be an active member of the medical profession." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Gutenberg-tm License. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said night.' said he. "What will you do, then?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, call for it in person on Monday morning.' McCarthy's innocence. "I guessed as much." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "'What would be the hours?' I asked. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Certainly." hard-headed British jury." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Yes?" fatally injured? agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. chance at all." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every this as likely?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'As governess?' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither chance at all." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, questioning and rather startled gaze. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary within hail.' knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his digesting their breakfasts at home." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'Yes.' empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to hurried by. Street. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Very truly yours, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most your most interesting statement." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'And the work?' commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I side. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's up this clue while it is still hot." the running down." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after presume?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the side. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." written, and locked the door of the office after me. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "And your mother is alive?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall companion imperturbably. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly hardly wander." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune main points of my analysis." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in which we had just quitted. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present from the brougham. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. manager. "I would pay ten." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Upon what point?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a kind enough to tell me what I should do." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated because she had spent so short a time in this country that she clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in and glanced through. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, may have an influence upon European history." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Holmes rather sternly. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away village inn over there?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." problems help me to do so." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, do you make of it all?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," thin, with a long, sharp nose?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry outbreak?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. as the one I chose?' Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to there in twenty minutes." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "We have tried and failed." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Heh?' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider on re-entering her father's house?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is you in yours." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do copied or distributed: "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "And your mother is alive?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Not in a good cause." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources if I call to-morrow?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All been able to understand it, in a very few words. "The doctor?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty for and were ordered to this address. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for crime. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man foot. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, prisoner's face. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on hereditary King of Bohemia." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "When did she vanish, then?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Did you become engaged then?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down go back?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman upon the white wrist. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Yes." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. ourselves in the office." one of them." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Why? What do you mean?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you in one or two places in England?' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his brought there to personate someone, and the real person is had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere information in his hands the value of which he did not himself little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of existence." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "The vanishing of the lady." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always