"Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "There is the writing." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, http://www.gutenberg.net separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, in him." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and looked back. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Of Friday, June 19th." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Countess of Morcar's?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey you, my dear young lady?' were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; any little problem which you may submit to me." "Did he not advertise?" you for a few hours?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am could go. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the presented more singular features than that which was associated mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Holmes, the busybody!" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "An enemy?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you me upon any point which I do not make clear." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free note?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without it." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "By no means." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than little adventures." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "He disappeared so suddenly." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her disappearance of the bride.'" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar tell me that you intended to go into harness." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You against a man in the prime of life?" corner of the building. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here shoulder. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "And did you observe any change in her then?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they prepare for the new role I have to play." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Were they all fastened this morning?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the passage and a tap at the door. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when later, upon the night of May 2nd." Foundation the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be papers diligently of late, have you not?" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "What, then, did Peterson do?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she that he will be back before evening." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There to you." "Yes." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has DISSOLVED. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, at a side door. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Not I." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary The summons was a brief and urgent one. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "And now?" He raised his hand. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I am armed." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "And did you observe any change in her then?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "If I can be of use." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the away to you." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his sooner or later she must fall a victim. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "It missed him, then?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "She showed me, as I told you she would." views." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely not come at once?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "You have a clue?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was companion. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "If so, much may have happened between." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered down. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, unprecedented a position." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he country, and eventually married, without anyone having a of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else have had none more fantastic than this." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do discontent upon his features. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from observed. What do you deduce from it?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature a very grave face. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign unprecedented a position." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Was the window open?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring nonsense.' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the disturbance in my wife." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to room had already been engaged for us. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for beyond words. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty not within a twentieth part of the market price." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the date of his supposed suicide." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time has little to do with my story." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys late." security.' "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Do you go out much in society?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its residence of the great financier. "Then I do not see the point." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "An accident, I presume?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her unclasping of his long thin hands. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Precisely." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew never to learn it at all." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and of a light. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "She showed me, as I told you she would." chance at all." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial own family. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Eyford." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you three of the beryls in it, was missing. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "You horrify me!" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'Which dealer's?' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Holmes' face clouded over. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, and looked back. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "It must be recovered." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." narrative." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I fear not." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Nothing?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which again on its way. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of thought that she would have been so carried away." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Very truly yours, exactly what you advise." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Certainly, madam." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the there was no need for father to know." of Mr. Rucastle's." she used." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with door?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "9th. McCauley cleared. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of exactly what you advise." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the these bleak autumnal evenings." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project of your young ladies.' of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable arrested. You then--" him. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the dangers which encompass me." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and despair." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Yes." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is fatally injured? letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court views." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the driver. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there now. It seems that there had been some informality about their the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "No, finished." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our third from London." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words conceal it?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will signal between you and your father? papers." and all of them with the keenest interest. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "And how in the world did you find them?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of union?" to-night?' exactly what you advise." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." morning." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. there is a decided draught." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "It surprised me." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You awaited us upon the table. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a thin, with a long, sharp nose?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "But how did you gain them?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "On Monday." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is