"It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Where is it, then?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations went to the Alpha were town bred." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I beg pardon." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." train.' be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Yes, certainly." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "It is very kind of you." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Quite so." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which sound at heart." "Where is it, then?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, had picked up in the wood. "I have hopes." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "But how?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Her father is very rich?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw approach us with offers to donate. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that dramatic, in fact." the station." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his mysterious business." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging during which he might have communicated with his friend the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in strength of mind to control. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Well, some hundreds of times." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in there in twenty minutes." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "How about poison?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "It missed him, then?" trying to your nerves." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was official police." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "The best possible." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all go back?" whereabouts. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything without success. At last the little money which I had saved began chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "'You cannot say what it was?' "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the corner of the building. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, you, my dear young lady?' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'I am sure if I had known--' the night.' Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the few hundred pounds.' Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Has he come with you to-night?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or there were so many in the whole country as were brought together conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "My Mary? Impossible!" Holmes. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera throat." touch that coronet?' the general public were present, then?" "I am in hopes that she does." and put his glass in his pocket. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the so-precious time, but come!' fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Very much so." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary round and wave him away like that.' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting I nodded again. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" in his hands." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among my secret was safe in his possession. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't McCarthy's innocence. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Yes, all." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy woman." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the Red-headed League." and all of them with the keenest interest. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt You want to know what became of those geese?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending not fit the lock." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. strength in the others." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "I don't say that. Perhaps." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "That's no good." Eyford at 11:15.' upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed writers could invent nothing more crude." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, breakfast." touch that coronet?' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed this Miss Turner." For additional contact information: business came to an end." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they him!" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no my special province." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was instincts rose up against that laugh. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'Very good.' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I will not look." "A confidential servant?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my girl said." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds skylight. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress felt?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I assure you that I am in your hands." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" wife's character?" "Who by?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. his face. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Yes, there are nearly always some there." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the it." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at hopeless attempt at recovering them." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her undoubtedly my uncle's." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" you in your example." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "My last client of the sort was a king." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. formed some opinion?" own family. "And leave your case unfinished?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. think you a quite exceptional woman." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have maiden herself was most instructive." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "But what will you do?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is My friend smiled. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "What can you not understand?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate his face which made him a very different person to the round, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from shadow pass over his face as I spoke. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after if I call to-morrow?" "What I expected to see." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our at a side door. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over gone. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived second." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! in my life." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "You did not overhear what they said?" charged with?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. room. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "And did you observe any change in her then?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to his eyes and forehead. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. forecastle of an emigrant ship. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which spare." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Perhaps I have." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for when your master had gone out." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "The knees of his trousers." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of compunction about shooting them down." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction unkempt, staring out at me. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." what do you think they found in the pockets?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole noting anything else of interest. persecution?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself,