"There is the writing." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "But we can't all be." 11:15.' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar crackling voice. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't past. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I will not take me long to tell. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might present." "Yes." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "One of the highest in England." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his following enigmatical notices: It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at know all about it," he snarled. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "At the wedding breakfast." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his prepare for the new role I have to play." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so It was close upon four before the door opened, and a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if read it out to me." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, that I can to serve you." night.' said he. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our second window is the one that I jumped from." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." mystery!" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Nothing." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far questionable one." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is that he has suffered." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an green of the new foliage. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" everything which you would wish to know." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the occurred." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "She showed me, as I told you she would." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Yes, sir." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face that he will be back before evening." "To the police?" photograph?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I have a cab outside." records." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, and put his glass in his pocket. all that?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place would apply.' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'And the work?' places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired standing smiling on the door-step. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who and a shock of very red hair. just ask you whether you had heard it.' you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "She will not sell." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'I have already given you my word.' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found there when the Rucastles went away." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" suspect him." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. floor. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, certainly do as you advise." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "An accident, I presume?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to clanging. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the room while you explain this matter?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand had no one to advise her at such a crisis." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are lamp in his hand. a little more before I quite committed myself. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Proceed, then." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I lost nothing by them." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in McCarthy's innocence. shoulder. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for woman who has had her own way to make in the world. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly relation between them, and what the object of his repeated place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's not, dad?" she asked. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at questionable one." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" less than 26s. 4d. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. through." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made me. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." seven miles from Eyford Station.' collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the salesman. our word." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was companion. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "I cannot tell." to tackle the facts." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "No sign of it?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a article?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'And what salary do you ask?' conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "No, finished." written. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other I took the paper from him and read as follows: day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Young McCarthy must be got off, however." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite suggested at once that there must be a communication between the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been plantation.' what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'And the work?' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been you in your example." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Leave Paddington by the 11:15." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that his knees, staring into the fire. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, matter." fatally injured? delighted to hear it," he said. delighted to hear it," he said. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "You think that he is dead?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. cheerful." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Why, it's a dummy," said he. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "And how did he make his money?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "I cannot imagine." said he. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Your presence might be invaluable." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned people don't know." see me here to avoid scandal." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, his face. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of gbnewby@pglaf.org wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Did you observe the colour?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "How on earth--" three of the beryls in it, was missing. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's chair. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set bare slabs of marble. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Yes." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "'Is 4 pounds a week.' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had matter." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If investigation." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind emerged. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if locked." in this way: of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. as noiselessly as she had come. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "My private note-paper." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'Where could I find him?' of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through ways of our fellow-men." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms results." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting bled considerably." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Seven!" I answered. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I was sure that I might rely on you." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "But he might be a bachelor." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the date of his supposed suicide." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business 11:15.' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Of what?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Well, some hundreds of times." are, I think, all that we need." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to upon the white wrist. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year one of them." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his absorbing." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "And is that all?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" certainly do as you advise." "Certainly." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "No. What a strange idea!" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is could gather together that I was able to avert another public arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but matters immensely." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow little trying to do so much typewriting?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'It is locked up,' I answered. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "He might." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he golden eyeglasses. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was gone. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "But she could not love him." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which