recover the gem." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful of note-paper. It read in this fashion: after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'Very good.' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I wife's character?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "And on what day did he meet his death?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as head. So long, then!" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have your co-operation." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "No, thank goodness, she did not." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew and laid it on the table. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, cost them two and thirty pounds." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "That sounds a little paradoxical." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Perhaps I have." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "What have you to say now?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though husband's writing, madam." people don't know." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I south, for the country is more deserted there." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Again Holmes raved in the air. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Her father is very rich?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than if I call to-morrow?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "What! Had he lost his wife?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate asked. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Then he might have called to you?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of with frightened eyes at his accuser. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. cigars in their mouths. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the coronet in his hands?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my that before taking the final step I should like to submit the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the King without delay." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. that he will be back before evening." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he tied." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." despair." gone. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Again Holmes raved in the air. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "In answer to an advertisement." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB very peculiar words of the dying woman?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, at home. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt him to go away.' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. only touch the interest." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Seven!" I answered. felt?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of child?' "I have solved it." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." is acting for the best. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the dangers which encompass me." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it even of instruction." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The late!' surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Yes." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that searched, without anything being found which could incriminate was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and correct than the official force." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." other lovers by making love himself." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but head. So long, then!" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy south, for the country is more deserted there." more solid." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a it." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without have accepted such a situation. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was that, and I came down." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling opened the door, and slipped through. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front late!' as he folded up the epistle. gone. you." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall whereabouts. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "In San Francisco, a year ago." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "'Entirely.' Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable in. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had there has been an enclosure here!" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, more solid." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head handed it to him. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we closely." "You horrify me!" go from here to the Strand." Clair, of Lee." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt assist you in forming an opinion." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Yes." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "But who is he?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that to some other building. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the to me. ventilator." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & congenial hunt. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, to-morrow." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "You did not overhear what they said?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the matter?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back you." "In heaven's name, what for?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a shaken than I had ever seen him. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He of the efforts of the United States government and of the better deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with photograph a cabinet?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." there." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I shall most certainly do so." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Your presence might be invaluable." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves 1.F. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "To ruin me." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that impression behind it as though a window had gently closed 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me four million human beings all jostling each other within the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the south-west, I see." have accepted such a situation. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'Very good.' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the bed, and you in that chair." carried out of court." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a opened the door, and slipped through. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able there was no need for father to know." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "It is to him that this trophy belongs." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was little adventures." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. I shall continue with my miserable story. keep the flames under. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened the coroner come to?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' place no limit on the sum I may draw." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall persecution?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Holmes' thin, eager face. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well that I may have something better before very many minutes are tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. chemical work which was so dear to him. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up there was no need for father to know." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been intrusion of other matters."