though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I seven miles from Eyford Station.' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Here?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "My dear Holmes!" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered of the way of danger. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it it." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Just look it up, then." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out upon the shelf for the interim." "Yes, that is the Crown." me. You must get home instantly and act." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" III. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea indeed happy." Sutherland. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a foresight and the moral retrogression?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Yes." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to them?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. felt?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "In which, sir?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: even of instruction." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Watson," he said cordially. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. outside. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "And what did you learn from him?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which relief. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "What!" he roared. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Yes, it would be as well." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence is four-and-twenty." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." such person." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all night.' said he. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Precisely." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'What do you call purely nominal?' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do depend upon your compliance." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Do you know him?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote purpose of examination. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Yes, sir." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might green of the new foliage. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the window, rose as we entered. present." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" companion imperturbably. "Well, some hundreds of times." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by other lovers by making love himself." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. recover the gem." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began at home. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of public press." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "'I have already given you my word.' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I over here." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "And why in hopes?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day said I. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Lestrade of Scotland Yard." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes *** START: FULL LICENSE *** side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question such attractions and accomplishments?' unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from to that open window." "He disappeared so suddenly." easy-going way." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' chance at all." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to public press." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him distance from the station, and there we found the young lady may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Yes. He waved his hands." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "One of the highest in England." to a more successful conclusion." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my in a very precise fashion." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in with frightened eyes at his accuser. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the when you have done it." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being enough to aid us in our search." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the salesman. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they showing my impatience. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my directors, with the result that you have seen." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he sneer upon his pale face. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without became a certainty. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." questionable one." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or front of me. him and tried to hold him back. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, it were putty." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" husband's writing, madam." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a strength of mind to control. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the inner apartment." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to behind me. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." 11:15.' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was rat could hardly pass through." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "BALLARAT." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" with some details as to your case." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular returned to France?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and enter into my head. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to certainly not very gracious." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "But you have hopes?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." or in danger--" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: you found me to-night--and running through the front room she and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "But we can't all be." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. until night should bring an explanation. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Yes, only one." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can residence of the great financier. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the window, rose as we entered. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the delirious. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote your room." "Have you it here?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I am following you closely," I answered. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'Where to?' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Foundation find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he sake, don't!" one of the states of the Union." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw main points of my analysis." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'Certainly not.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "How many? I don't know." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his fact, we may call it conclusive." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." occupations.' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle galvanised. very morning of my second wedding." the coronet in his hands?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that sneer upon his pale face. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'Certainly not. But why?' Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Oh, the cause is excellent!" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Where, then?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the stable lane now." disappearance of the bride.'" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I cannot think." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Yes." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "When did it break out?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "What will you say?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two second window is the one that I jumped from." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon companion imperturbably. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not