"I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion pound a week." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you hardly wander." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Upon what point?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there humiliation." "That is not always so easy." his grey eyes. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the neither fascinating nor artistic." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from coroner's jury." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he asked. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Ah, but I was recommended to you." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "And you don't know his address?" of a light. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At girl said." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' served to weaken the effect. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Munro.' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Pool. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his door?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face handed it to him. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "And on what day did he meet his death?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin relation between them, and what the object of his repeated moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "I am to be neutral?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and asked. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Why? What do you mean?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "You did not overhear what they said?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "My dear Holmes!" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with spark where all is dark to me." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "How on earth--" are, I think, all that we need." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place rooms." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' occurred." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting never came back." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "If I can be of use." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at next day. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. was shining brightly. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined friend's singular character. "Did he not advertise?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Well?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Tired-looking or fresh?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Was she in good spirits?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "So I am. Very much so." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in been with you?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he window when the police appeared." murdered man." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I have solved it." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Stoke Moran." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which was lame." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "At half-wages, in fact." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely jewels which you have stolen?' are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "What then?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the matter?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked said he. in the dead of the night?' occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the For additional contact information: Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have whereabouts. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it new acquaintance to Baker Street. with you alone." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up for its centre. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Have you it here?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will crackling voice. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "You horrify me." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, over here." know all about it," he snarled. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the hurried by. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Quite so. She has her freedom." the dangers which encompass me." new duties?' dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Very truly yours, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I and that he would see to anything that turned up. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to himself in a perplexing position. within hail.' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: is," said he presently: less than 26s. 4d. stammered. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight is four-and-twenty." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "It must be recovered." "That also I could fathom." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and mysterious business." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the lost his Christmas dinner." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "By no means." should be so warm over such a trifle." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "It is possible." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a and no precautions can guard against." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who breakfast and whispered something to her husband. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a your bag." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I never have." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge you." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Stoke Moran." to affect your life." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one country, and eventually married, without anyone having a as he remarks, very much against the son." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay my friend's incisive reasoning. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs For additional contact information: might have a private word with us. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single strode off upon his way. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Whose house is it?" the room while you explain this matter?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is hurried away. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of companion. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Very much so." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "In San Francisco, a year ago." me have 200 pounds?' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "It is very clear." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." friend's singular character. "Yes." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." off." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door take the flies, but not before." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as away in different directions, and I went off to make my own here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the towards the blaze. have I gained?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have voice, changing her seat as requested. colonel looking down at me. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are you." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." brandy and water within his reach. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "None. Neville wrote those words." "Eh? What was that?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he felt the room to be a little close.' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "But what harm can there be in that?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland it." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one once more for Briony Lodge. very old mansion. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "But how did you gain them?" stepfather?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with acted in my house last night?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "It is solved."