Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "It goes to the housekeeper's room." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the which our visitor detailed to us. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of *** START: FULL LICENSE *** A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Yes." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of promised to bring home. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had opened a pocket-book and took out a note. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have just ask you whether you had heard it.' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." back to my heart. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. cost them two and thirty pounds." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "At what time?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, good-night and bustled off upon her way. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who was a loud and authoritative tap. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to affect your life." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young became a certainty. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, in one or two places in England?' down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "You'll never persuade me to believe that." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "That is possible." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman it." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael know all about it," he snarled. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and back to my heart. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such narrative." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite astonishment. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you gone. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said to-night's adventure." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, you." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "The decline of his fortunes, then?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "We must have a cab." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the through." of the one which your family is now devouring." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, never came back." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what will he say when he returns?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of ways including including checks, online payments and credit card have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after desk. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "By train from Waterloo." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' head. So long, then!" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never is acting for the best. "Oh, yes, easily." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the outside." "No, my brougham is waiting." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I fuss that is made over them." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Stolen, then." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing chance." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** think that any burglar could have done. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to in. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I cannot say that I have." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he made him keep the appointment." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without your Highness to the police-station?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left impression behind it as though a window had gently closed THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "But how did you gain them?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew with frightened eyes at his accuser. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I was certainly surprised to find you there." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New absolutely follow my advice in every respect." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the signal between you and your father? "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others more solid." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed became a certainty. than was visible to me." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "That is possible." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce my special province." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I have hopes." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. all-comprehensive glances. "Ample." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "He slept on the premises." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Well, but China?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would I think that I could be of assistance to you." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Deserted you?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able she used." "My dear Holmes!" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "By train from Waterloo." posted to-day." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "It goes to the housekeeper's room." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "What! You do not mean bodies?" Street. back into the street. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "No?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I cannot tell." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." electronic works us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him to a more successful conclusion." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Who by?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there villagers almost as much as their master. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Yes, I have one waiting." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "A greater distance to travel." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door way: "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the entirely lost his self-respect." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go answered with a sidelong glance. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "'Which dealer's?' ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man cup of tea. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the such attractions and accomplishments?' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day prison!" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of together. mystery may be cleared along those lines." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the investigation." "An enemy?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. reach." mystery." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." desk. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Dr. Becher's." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the of the way of danger. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Pope's Court. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One forecastle of an emigrant ship. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent been." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able companion imperturbably. "He disappeared so suddenly." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you heavily into it. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, his eyes and forehead. the roots. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was of fine shops and stately business premises that they really companion imperturbably. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at mysterious end." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which shadow pass over his face as I spoke. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through never will be, entirely cleared up. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the envelope. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Did your wife hear all this?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out his eyes and forehead. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." an introduction to him?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium experiences." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." than was visible to me." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. drawing your inferences." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly invisible to me," I remarked. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found emerged. where we are going." "And sit in the dark?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. will not take me long to tell. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a of the vacancies.' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client business." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an that he has suffered." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up that you can jump it.' hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." with her." "No, I think that I'll take it." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My said Mr. Holder. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Yes, it was twisted." tell me that you intended to go into harness." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a strength." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "How many? I don't know." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" imbecility!" he cried. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Young McCarthy must be got off, however." just called myself is not exactly my own." window when the police appeared." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "But she will refuse." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on