we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'You cannot say what it was?' "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "None." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his I. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the deduce something from that?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "It came here." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too without a word or a look. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "The knees of his trousers." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back could gather together that I was able to avert another public providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from stepfather?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed not, dad?" she asked. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "You know me, then?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from companion quietly. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt fuss that is made over them." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. open." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." any more." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the how narrow had been my escape. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table with her." is," said he presently: As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'Yes, sir.' It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and of campaign. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still thin, with a long, sharp nose?" place of silver." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect some city in a dream. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and tail." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "This photograph!" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will drove away. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." is four-and-twenty." skylight. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' to miss it." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Precisely." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. British peeress.'" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock business came to an end." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! character. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical crime." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Yes, I have one waiting." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I think it very unlikely." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "She told me to ask you." chance." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Why serious?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at affection." I leave." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the to have that photograph." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the and capable of preserving a secret.' was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed envelope. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "But what will you do?" allusion to a rat. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to matter." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "There are none." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "And your father? Did you tell him?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "No more words. Get out!" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "And how in the world did you find them?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Yes." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right bed dies. Does not that strike you?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Come in!" said he. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended since then to throw any light upon what became of him." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black to talk it over. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. October 9, 1890. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the Assizes." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's that, and I came down." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary power." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'A dozen yards or so.' London for the present?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the corner of the building. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the tapping his fingers upon the table. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "No, I had a dozen." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Could he throw no light?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." appeal." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from him and tried to hold him back. burst out into a roar of laughter. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "How about poison?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting cost them two and thirty pounds." said he. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." some water from a caraffe. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get fat-encircled eyes. over here." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had when your master had gone out." "Yes, sir." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "You have compromised yourself seriously." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk in a friendly supper." "A confidential servant?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "'No, I know no one in these parts.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Ample." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her astonishment. held up the lantern and gazed about him. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER records." maid will bring up your coffee." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "One horse?" interjected Holmes. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' opportunities to fix the problem. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I will try. What is it?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our shall not find me ungrateful." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE ways including including checks, online payments and credit card my friend's incisive reasoning. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders dear old homesteads?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, that?' to change my dress. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get bearing upon the case." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "And help." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of chance at all." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "How do you know, then?" Holmes rather sternly. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all pound a week." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Lee, in the county of Kent." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes excitement. habit of advancing money.' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his his knees, staring into the fire. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "But we can't all be." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if returned to France?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a to tell." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism shoulder. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been a suggestive one." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Yes?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a help us in this matter." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think father's young wife. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Yes, all." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, more terrible than the truth. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the standing smiling on the door-step. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what From what you have told me I think that it is possible that but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my second." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line public press." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed one of them." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Breckinridge is his name." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. answered with a sidelong glance.