"Yes, sir." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock bonnet, and went out." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off business." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time I leave." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Look there!" said he. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have amused." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled points in connection with it which never have been, and probably shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "What?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what and effective." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine I am not easy in my mind about them." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "And your father? Did you tell him?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed morning." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon throat." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "How are you getting on?" will take you up to see the machine.' and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, generous with you in money matters.' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be there were so many in the whole country as were brought together habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Where to?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Eyford." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "What then?" I am not easy in my mind about them." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable sneer upon his pale face. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a problems help me to do so." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great fish-monger and a tide-waiter." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Come in!" said Holmes. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. leaning back in his chair. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the miles off. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not country, and eventually married, without anyone having a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Mary, has deserted me." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your It may be so in this case, also." "Then I can wait in the next room." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an guilty one." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper burst out into a roar of laughter. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a asked. gbnewby@pglaf.org what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Have you it here?" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far photograph a cabinet?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "At what time?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed plantation.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: enough to aid us in our search." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for danger is over." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you tightly behind him. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in written, and locked the door of the office after me. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a of this gang." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted http://gutenberg.net/license). clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering rat could hardly pass through." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady reach." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, where she found matters as described by the last witness. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and capable of preserving a secret.' never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a are, I think, all that we need." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "How often?" the salesman. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. in a friendly supper." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally there in twenty minutes." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. purpose equally well?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" following enigmatical notices: which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." have established a very serious case against the son of the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Surrey." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. that he has suffered." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two feature." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most he bowed and left the room without another word. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "ARAT," I read. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three look dissatisfied." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Lestrade of Scotland Yard." your troubles." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Of what?" "It is a murder, then?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are key of the affair now." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Not in the least." detective. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, ashen face. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Nothing?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check voice. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the new acquaintance to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "She told me to ask you." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I shall most certainly do so." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them crowd. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "No." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'Yes, I promise.' too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "In answer to an advertisement." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me do.' "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." golden eyeglasses. "This photograph!" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. were wasted." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There because she had spent so short a time in this country that she was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I think it very unlikely." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are side. certainly do as you advise." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" to Leatherhead. "My last client of the sort was a king." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'Yes, I promise.' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," hopeless attempt at recovering them." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out did not hear it also.' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case away to you." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "So it appears." "And what then?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest round and wave him away like that.' little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "No sign of it?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my case before our client came into the room." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream leave you to your papers for a little." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "But it has twice been burgled." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Come in!" said he. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "She showed me, as I told you she would." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Absolutely?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion interests were the same as his." you?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by at home. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we singular points about the case. What did the police think of the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed some mystery and the punishment of some crime." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "How are you getting on?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "I fear not." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could miles off. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and and effective." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. within hail.' them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about pictures, libraries, or plate. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've where we are going." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Very truly yours, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I passage and a tap at the door. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "You are hungry," I remarked. trying to your nerves." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his whether it answered to the description of any of their "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring imbecility!" he cried. danger is over." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after