over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is impression behind it as though a window had gently closed dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. events, Mr. Windibank!" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Was the window open?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Yes, that is the Crown." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, all that?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I fear not." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my than was visible to me." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "None. Neville wrote those words." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the strength of mind to control. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. into the bag, and made for the door. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his point our research must commence, and we will begin it by bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let murdered man." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and next day. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. your sleep?' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "In heaven's name, what for?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Mrs. Toller serenely. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a I shall continue with my miserable story. "Certainly." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he not within a twentieth part of the market price." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California a suggestive one." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Well?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue of Mr. Rucastle's." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a dead, shall be safe with us." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we writer." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the matter." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. as noiselessly as she had come. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, it." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very seven miles from Eyford Station.' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as tail." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that or in danger--" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us that I am arrested." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Street. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Nothing?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit ceremony." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Certainly." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are lamp. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we upon the shelf for the interim." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been to a light-house. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up within hail.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Never." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' disappearance of these gems?" companion. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." late!' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the vanished into the darkness. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Why serious?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Countess of Morcar's?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Oh, yes, easily." dear old homesteads?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly out." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood wedding?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Perhaps we may make them less so." "What do you make of that, Watson?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an used to be." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. this unhappy family?" papers." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight at a side door. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His acted in my house last night?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked three of the beryls in it, was missing. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such leave you to your papers for a little." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical already been minutely examined." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you how narrow had been my escape. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the think that he is innocent?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box bell. Holmes whistled. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Yes." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "But you have hopes?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. this as likely?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, me have 200 pounds?' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "How did you deduce the select?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of infinite languor in his face. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "'What would be the hours?' I asked. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the showing my impatience. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Then you may be so with me." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Game for a morning drive?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all asked. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this name is different." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point father's place of business?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card charged with?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. fishes. shall not find me ungrateful." my former friend and companion. "And Irene Adler?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Always." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I see many objections to any such theory." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "The best possible." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." certainly not very gracious." "'Never.' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary take the flies, but not before." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing him to be an active member of the medical profession." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say side. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank out." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the devil!" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Not I." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, mysterious business." Clair, of Lee." "It is possible." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of keep the flames under. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the warnings." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What through." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. forehead. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without opportunities to fix the problem. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so he died? "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "But she could not love him." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until returned to France?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our mystery!" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and shall use the carriage to-night." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. take the flies, but not before." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and papers on the sundial.'" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" fait accompli?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already unkempt, staring out at me. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your hardly wander." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I not interfere, come what may. You understand?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was wedding?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "She told me to ask you." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the whether it answered to the description of any of their here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were works. See paragraph 1.E below. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope villagers almost as much as their master. habit of advancing money.' be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready them, and came down just as you departed. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between business came to an end." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of even so self-evident a thing as that." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear unclasping of his long thin hands. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Yes, it was twisted." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Frequently." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of voice, changing her seat as requested. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the Red-headed League." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK young Openshaw's." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "When did she vanish, then?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light you?' "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than from you?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when wall." bedroom door." be. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the man. Street. and all of them with the keenest interest. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. to talk it over. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take of fine shops and stately business premises that they really scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in