condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'I am sure that I do not know.' little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and conceal it?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by points to suicide?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Holmes." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I say that I have solved it." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There brought there to personate someone, and the real person is his face which made him a very different person to the round, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the arrested. You then--" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were way in." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the one as in the other." with some details as to your case." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "What do you make of that, Watson?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Yes, the wine-cellar." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the tell me that you intended to go into harness." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did do." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Whose house is it?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the than was visible to me." enter into my head. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project for securing the situation." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Watson," he said cordially. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I in him." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, were wasted." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at dead, shall be safe with us." ceremony." pound a week." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, might have a private word with us. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the to-morrow." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right to that open window." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the 1.E.9. official police." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where she used." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "How often?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "But we can't all be." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "No, I had a dozen." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "But what will you do?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that acquaintance?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found article?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'Very good.' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to had died away into the silence from which it rose. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I jewels which you have stolen?' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no your Highness to the police-station?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the warnings." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Breckinridge is his name." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Come in!" said he. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded had this final quarrel? views." third from London." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely for securing the situation." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Deserted you?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might cigars in the box." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the tail." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Oh, yes, easily." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of business matters.' flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am thin legs towards the fire. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "It came here." which we had just quitted. your Highness to the police-station?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and appeal." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle words came to my lips. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. someone who had been in Australia." "And when will you call?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such there when the Rucastles went away." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt go--none." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a morning." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left strength of mind to control. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "You are hungry," I remarked. overpowering excitement and concern. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness posted to-day." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that she has been waylaid. There has been no result." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite that before taking the final step I should like to submit the respectable self." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last and looked back. "Certainly." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a morning." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which him." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought friend's singular character. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Your French gold?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in touch that coronet?' What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "We must have a cab." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave During two years I have had three consultations and one small his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "The doctor?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! felt the room to be a little close.' gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, awaited us upon the table. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him pierced for earrings?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "That's no good." mysterious end." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had beyond words. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Holmes' room. Foundation I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk beg that you will break it off." gone. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "There are none." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that it." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster what these perils are?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "My own seal." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the Friday. Was it to be in church?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the inquest, and which are worth considering." 1.E.9. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you voice. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking matter over." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "None." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "And sit in the dark?" allusion to a rat. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "No, I think that I'll take it." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. hard-headed British jury." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The and I shall be with you presently." gone before you can get him to hospital." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all your equipment. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" fasten all the windows?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," gives a meaning to it." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "What steps will you take?" I asked. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to you do it in twenty minutes!' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which