plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes hopeless attempt at recovering them." presented more singular features than that which was associated observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I was mad--insane." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the call for it in person on Monday morning.' keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police touch that coronet?' detective. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had out." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable in your London, you will know that the office of the company is always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock few hundred pounds.' carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already in his hands." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through young Openshaw's." ourselves in the office." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Yes, he did." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been pressing in one house as in another. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." occupations.' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon for securing the situation." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab papers." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Not in a good cause." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "'I have already given you my word.' her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, in darkness. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Did your wife hear all this?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Why? What do you mean?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I cannot tell." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "That is not always so easy." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "What have you done?" asked Holmes. derbies." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your union?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Who by?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst spark where all is dark to me." "In what way?" asked Holmes. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with hair?' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had You can understand that this register and diary may implicate bell. Holmes whistled. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Quite so." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Then, how do you know?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "She will not sell." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank bird of prey. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have bled considerably." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "But what will you do?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you what do you think they found in the pockets?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was matter over." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "None." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With there has been an enclosure here!" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Pope's Court, Fleet Street." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had asked. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Ample." "'It is locked up,' I answered. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The some terrible trap for her." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Tired-looking or fresh?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I less than 26s. 4d. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "No bad?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their legal crime." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather chance at all." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a to-night." husband's writing, madam." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "I never have." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Indeed! Whose, then?" astonishment. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the will be renamed. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into without a word or a look. Sutherland. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "And leave your case unfinished?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the never to learn it at all." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught residence of the great financier. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it sufficient punishment." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he shoulder; "he's all right." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, exactly what you advise." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From matters immensely." one else, I think." dates and names. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, that you saw all that I did." weighed down with some great anxiety. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle least a fellow-countryman. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, that there was nothing in it, after all." pierced for earrings?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I am in hopes that she does." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle rooms." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again did not hear it also.' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the Friday. Was it to be in church?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers residence of the great financier. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. to-night's adventure." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "No, thank goodness, she did not." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the loss of it. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' walking." "No legal papers or certificates?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in companion quietly. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the depend upon your compliance." "What! You do not mean bodies?" him to go away.' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Ha! you find it so?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Why serious?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Will you go?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "You think so, too?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was present." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together should be taken.' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "It is a murder, then?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And why?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but arms and began to sob in a high treble key. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "And I." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with easy-going way." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he me. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which these bleak autumnal evenings." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" union?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived in the hope of finding them." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Nearly eleven." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. trifles." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. States. himself in a perplexing position. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, to talk it over. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Arthur Conan Doyle in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them certainly not very gracious." "Have you it here?" "'Where could I find him?' already been minutely examined." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a arrangements." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set as this. Pray let me have the details." than to us. them, and came down just as you departed. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and sake, don't!" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "None." recover the gem." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "No, my brougham is waiting." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and interest. They are important, you understand, without being delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled IS its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' I think that I could be of assistance to you." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than singular points about the case. What did the police think of the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' promised to bring home. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!"