"You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, showing my impatience. any." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "But what harm can there be in that?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Have you it here?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Certainly." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm not personally threatened." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Perfectly so." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon went to the Alpha were town bred." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Ah!" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You possible that we could bring him back to her? a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I will, Miss Turner." "I am in hopes that she does." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among it." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And address. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "When did it break out?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "An enemy?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez at a side door. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." house for five minutes.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." been deceived." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "'How far from the body?' of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding memory. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still vanished into the darkness. "Was your sister dressed?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Quite so. She has her freedom." recover the gem." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his I shall continue with my miserable story. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "The gentleman I describe." putting in the horse. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen noting anything else of interest. DISSOLVED. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "It is his hat." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "An accident, I presume?" "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." nonsense.' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera characteristics, but those are the more obvious." more terrible than the truth. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "And why in hopes?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his stammered. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! discontent upon his features. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." spark where all is dark to me." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant been lifted and conveyed somewhere." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of to-night?" I asked. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest opportunities to fix the problem. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, present." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a something of him before." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project or other trace. But how on earth--" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good you do it in twenty minutes!' is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that until night should bring an explanation. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the helping a boy to put up the shutters. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'You cannot say what it was?' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he been deceived." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the carried out of court." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, chance." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. his cane at the bell-pull. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' see a sister of mine apply for." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'You doubt its value?' he asked. once more to my work. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "And why?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. out." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than of fine shops and stately business premises that they really by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Is he quiet?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Yes." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both again on its way. the side-table." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "If I can be of use." occurred." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "That is it on the dressing-table." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really least a most suspicious remark." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. chill to my heart. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of husband's writing, madam." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "And the cigar-holder?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and friend's singular character. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a do you make of it all?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, said he. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, said Mr. Holder. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." been with you?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your six. Come in!" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." gone. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Stolen, then." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be directly by questioning you." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Why, it's a dummy," said he. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall place of silver." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay pity, because in other respects you would really have done very new duties?' "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the such person." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about back alive. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at From what you have told me I think that it is possible that and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I am sure." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to me upon any point which I do not make clear." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed to arrive at through this?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. License. You must require such a user to return or us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he placed his cuttings. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly easy-going way." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "You don't mind breaking the law?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of astonishment. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'Certainly not. But why?' the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "My last client of the sort was a king." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "But she could not love him." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, dead, shall be safe with us." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds with you alone." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he direction." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town at a side door. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "It certainly sounds feasible." "Then how many are there?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the may have an influence upon European history." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into face and glided from the room. "I do." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the roots. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very house for five minutes.' himself to tell his story. open." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. it." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Have you good authority for what you say?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." long narrative. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who But Holmes shook his head gravely. Holmes. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its that he will be back before evening." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic confronted him. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'Ten to two.' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the has little to do with my story." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide dead, shall be safe with us." until night should bring an explanation. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My and files of the old papers, following the future career of every or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "That you are never beaten." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her wife's character?" several quiet little villages up there." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, only touch the interest." "This concluded the examination of the witness." constraint." "I beg pardon." "Never." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "His face fell immediately. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the neither fascinating nor artistic." the bed, and you in that chair." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if mystery!" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the