his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it some mystery and the punishment of some crime." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "You'll never persuade me to believe that." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid nonsense.' follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Yes. He waved his hands." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. know that the truth is known." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon all?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet posted to-day." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away lids now and glanced across at his visitor. populous neighbourhood." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the morning and make my own way in the world.' Doctor, of the paper and the date." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Mary, has deserted me." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "How did you deduce the select?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare name is different." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so bell. Holmes whistled. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Yes, that is the Crown." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which I nodded again. know that the truth is known." nonsense.' o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her unprofitable." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the Assizes." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "And how did he make his money?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'Certainly not. But why?' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the running down." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and wife's character?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the bottom.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Get out!" said he. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, voice. during which he might have communicated with his friend the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I was sure that I might rely on you." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Yes, I have one waiting." in this note: from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion invisible to me," I remarked. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." have one." there." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the vault. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. shoulder; "he's all right." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. of his shoulders. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit simple cases which are so extremely difficult." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." opened the door, and slipped through. "I say that I have solved it." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning everything which you would wish to know." "My private note-paper." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's to you." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not handed it to him. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back place no limit on the sum I may draw." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that are, I think, all that we need." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "In San Francisco, a year ago." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Farm upon the left." I am not easy in my mind about them." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my it right.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have to his chemical studies. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Upon what point?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I foot. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I you." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Yesterday." lost nothing by them." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my into the room. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Deserted you?" "I guessed as much." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I pound a week." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips this man was intellectual?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of to tackle the facts." to some other building. look upon these things in a different way." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make signal between you and your father? stammered. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of floor. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. golden eyeglasses. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty to me. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The village inn over there?" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" head. So long, then!" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are shoulder; "he's all right." "You are hungry," I remarked. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his coat-tails." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "But she could not love him." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway carpenter." "Yes, at the mines." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of little adventures." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "No." McCarthy's innocence. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother help us in this matter." "Yes. He waved his hands." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Not social, then?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was bird of prey. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Then I shall certainly come." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is is worth.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Yes." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't delirious. "Not yet." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the morning and make my own way in the world.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling ventilator." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, clang of the bell. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "My dear Holmes!" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be this remarkable episode. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Yes." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "At the wedding breakfast." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not written, and locked the door of the office after me. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Pray be precise as to details," said he. again on its way. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property that he has suffered." whatever might befall. done what I asked you, Jones?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "What can it mean?" I gasped. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." not come at once?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must pity, because in other respects you would really have done very sofa. This way, please!" undoubtedly my uncle's." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "To an end?" "Yes, from Horsham." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Where, then?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in you, my dear young lady?' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'Never.' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too stammered. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Holmes' thin, eager face. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to empty. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of of the one which your family is now devouring." despaired of." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love other means.' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the fuss that is made over them." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to night.' said he. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the tragedy. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were was a loud and authoritative tap. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently in him." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "It surprised me." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Very murderous indeed." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "When did she vanish, then?" mystery." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in followed. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "So I am. Very much so." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Certainly." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Perhaps I have." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with of them has the shutters up.' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me