weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the wanted for ourselves." families. Now for the facts. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and pity, because in other respects you would really have done very furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next speckled band?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining see a sister of mine apply for." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked papers." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "You saw the ventilator, too?" there in twenty minutes." him and tried to hold him back. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she desk. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting case before our client came into the room." "BALLARAT." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who read over the extraordinary announcement. "Yesterday." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself attention." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever happened." "I would give my fortune to have them back." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite voice. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "May I see it?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly fasten all the windows?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they his face. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "No legal papers or certificates?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal his fortune, and I went back to pa. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." fear." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock lamp. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" own family. train.' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I think that it is very probable." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they thirty. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "And Irene Adler?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the morning and make my own way in the world.' "And now?" He raised his hand. companion. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my breakfast and whispered something to her husband. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a nothing with him." do.' bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "That sounds a little paradoxical." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley light and attacked it." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "You have carte blanche." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business drawing your inferences." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "In heaven's name, what for?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "My dear Holmes!" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman said Mr. Holder. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "I have seen the police." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed problems help me to do so." comes from the middle window." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when could go. "Did he not advertise?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." this Miss Turner." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father present strange and interesting features that it is no easy everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: it? Did I buy the geese off you?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in words came to my lips. "And Miss Sutherland?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the south-west, I see." "Then what has happened to him?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Never." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for business in the City. She little knew what. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "VIOLET HUNTER." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. your troubles." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs me where it went to?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "No. What a strange idea!" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in served to weaken the effect. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I promise," said Holmes. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, get her out of the way." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my shall use the carriage to-night." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, acquaintance?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of observed. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the 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 you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk tell me that you intended to go into harness." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of cheerful." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "You saw the ventilator, too?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, legal crime." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are to where he stood hid behind the curtain. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall was a lad." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady them?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." to arrive at through this?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "No, I had a dozen." "Holmes, the busybody!" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the general public were present, then?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the general public were present, then?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Arthur Conan Doyle It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have there has been an enclosure here!" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid pierced for earrings?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking results." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to you came in." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words be.' "Yes, sir." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing notes," he said. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were them, and came down just as you departed. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the date of his supposed suicide." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and was keenly on my guard against him. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other again." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, made him keep the appointment." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Yes." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was your billet.' matter." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "We must have a cab." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the side-table." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. here and I will read it to you: "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I seen the man in the road." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the stones. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "What of the rat, then?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, you give your casting vote to?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank through." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "You have the photograph?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask which our visitor detailed to us. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the inquest, and which are worth considering." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was him to be an active member of the medical profession." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault ventilator." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I cannot say that I have." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to October 9, 1890. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is it with his own hands." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An question you as to those details which seem to me to be most the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "BALLARAT." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "A greater distance to travel." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and For additional contact information: there." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about never came back." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "I have a cab outside." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB results." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is gone. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the three of the beryls in it, was missing. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Where, indeed?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Pray let us have it, for all that." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. seem to you to be relevant or not." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the said he at last. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the confronted him. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible within hail.' "And I." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, whereabouts. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall front of the hall door has given its name to the place. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been that you saw all that I did." colonel looking down at me. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "To an end?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Then, as to money?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, already been minutely examined." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and wait." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "It is a murder, then?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "No." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing his cane at the bell-pull. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as down. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which article?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "In answer to an advertisement." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near chemical work which was so dear to him. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and face and glided from the room. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "'Entirely.' together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "He is dead," cried several voices. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Mary, has deserted me." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You were travelling in the States?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private extraordinary contortions. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small