of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Where, then, is my wife?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect disturbance in my wife." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. your most interesting statement." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he wife's character?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Will you bet, then?" in a very precise fashion." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "'What do you call purely nominal?' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. quick march!" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "The Coroner: What do you mean? "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Yes, from Horsham." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There anything to do with the matter?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "No?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project directors have had misgivings upon the subject." in his power. "Then, as to money?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring is," said he presently: Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "You think that he is dead?" "I see many objections to any such theory." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you approach us with offers to donate. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the present." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing since then to throw any light upon what became of him." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Very much so." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'I am sure if I had known--' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is The events in question occurred in the early days of my were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some exactly what you advise." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Entirely.' house for five minutes.' enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. for its centre. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an your equipment. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and a shock of very red hair. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that investigation." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to hands. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a ready to-morrow?' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent them present such singular features as the strange train of hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the what I may call a really hard day's work." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Really! You surprise me." is worth.' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "I am in hopes that she does." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Surrey." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Then I do not see the point." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the it. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up have had none more fantastic than this." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "No sign of it?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill villagers almost as much as their master. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'How far from the body?' "I see no marks." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "How often?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been drove away. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." this as likely?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by room had already been engaged for us. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "You did not overhear what they said?" "But we can't all be." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the inner apartment." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of writer." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Perfectly so." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Yes, sir." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "But how?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly place, I think that there is good ground to think that the I approached. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been better grown goose." "I was mad--insane." "But you have hopes?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." client, rising. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was bird of prey. "What then?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. companion. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector golden eyeglasses. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "No. His orders were to stay in the house." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "It certainly sounds feasible." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Deserted you?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I have hopes." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the way in." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an quickly through a disagreeable task. which it had come upon my father." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. fishes. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just arrangements." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and pictures, libraries, or plate. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and chance at all." see me here to avoid scandal." again, where I was soon asleep. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up this truth that in these little records of our cases which you forehead. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Ten will be early enough." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I help us in this matter." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on strength of mind to control. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Stoke Moran." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'A dozen yards or so.' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious seven miles from Eyford Station.' points to suicide?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which daring than any effort of the imagination." "Come in!" said he. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and no precautions can guard against." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "What do you mean?" already been minutely examined." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square have been better. It is all right." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "What! Had he lost his wife?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and seven miles from Eyford Station.' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" opportunities to fix the problem. highroad, where all traces were lost. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt wanted for ourselves." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque tear off another piece?' along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" bonnet, and went out." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover bore every mark of being an average commonplace British sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "And on what day did he meet his death?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Who by?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Holmes' room. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "The doctor?" "Come in!" said Holmes. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and of the vacancies.' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, crowd. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is fasten all the windows?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. public press." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "And how did you verify them?" "'I shall certainly be there.' be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in remarked. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" fact, we may call it conclusive." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped place no limit on the sum I may draw." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears sound at heart." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "And for present expenses?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Mary, has deserted me." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible him, that man would not have given me such complete information groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Holmes' face clouded over. tightly behind him. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an furiously. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers your own bird, so if you wish--" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan had this final quarrel? there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its asked with his eyes open. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "None." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Imitated." Cross for the Continent." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a place of silver." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said plantation.' everything which you would wish to know." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Just look it up, then." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly directors have had misgivings upon the subject." paper in the air. "To ruin me." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a writing, and yet I know it well." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man fish-monger and a tide-waiter." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of compunction about shooting them down." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. affection." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "You saw the ventilator, too?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every