"Why? What do you mean?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Pray do so." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "And now?" He raised his hand. call the police, let the police find what they can.' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Your presence might be invaluable." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very fluttered off among the others. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" and the colonel ushered me in. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "No good news?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that ceremony." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." night.' said he. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the address that was given us in the advertisement. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Why, what do you mean?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Why did you pick him?" "'What then?' I asked. here and I will read it to you: top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. as he remarks, very much against the son." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements noble correspondent could be. Eyford at 11:15.' part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Game for a morning drive?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "It is true that I have been generally successful." may never be exposed to such a temptation." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'Certainly not.' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all invisible to me," I remarked. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call foot. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I cannot say that I have." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Street. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included companion. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of people in all walks of life. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at like that before?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first upon an income of about 60 pounds." "No more words. Get out!" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I think that it is very probable." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "No, I think that I'll take it." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'Never,' said I. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY I took the paper from him and read as follows: to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and mysterious end." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I indiscretion." upon the shelf for the interim." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred fluttered off among the others. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and I shall be with you presently." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom strong and stiff." with the outside air!" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "But how could you guess what the motive was?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond during which he might have communicated with his friend the business at Coburg Square is serious." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. and it need not interfere very much with one's other nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "No. What a strange idea!" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There important." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where written. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "It is very clear." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker crackling voice. copied or distributed: abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the what I may call a really hard day's work." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Perhaps I have." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to fact, we may call it conclusive." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Always." "What is it, then--a fire?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I am all attention, madam." "Of what day?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Because he was handy and would come cheap." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, and looked back. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of from the brougham. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the skylight. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "It is to him that this trophy belongs." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Again Holmes raved in the air. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few danger is over." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy it means?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land late!' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Yes?" "One?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed mystery." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the coronet in his hand?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "A confidential servant?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." make me his representative both with the servants and with the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "What can you not understand?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the 1.F. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the night.' said he. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to morning." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." prison!" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge opened the door, and slipped through. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the running down." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can appeared upon the scene." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "His face fell immediately. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." little adventures." "'What then?' I asked. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "And from a noble client?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Yes, only one." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which it right.' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible when your master had gone out." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious his fortune, and I went back to pa. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from and laid it on the table. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "And how have you succeeded?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are until night should bring an explanation. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the cigars in their mouths. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was forbidden door. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was back alive. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I girl said." in a friendly supper." awkward doing business with an alias." "Never to return." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to to-night." "It is possible." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the chambers. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** I think that I could be of assistance to you." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "You will not go there first?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "That's no good." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, closely." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some believe that I should never have any practice at all. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through ceremony." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless I. "'Oh, no.' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Holmes' face clouded over. entirely lost his self-respect." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. London for the present?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Who by?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Then, how do you know?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock call you and give you the chance." "What will you say?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your fact, we may call it conclusive." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." man. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Precisely." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was out." "I should wish to." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. The summons was a brief and urgent one. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, I took the paper from him and read as follows: ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the colonel looking down at me. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated trying to your nerves." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted of the one which your family is now devouring." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. amused." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill my room." you." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be friends, not even his own brother.