"'And how far from the edge of the wood?' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "'Certainly not. But why?' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes was lame." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, strength in the others." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "She told me to ask you." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I asked. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the appeal." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "I am to be neutral?" some city in a dream. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "That is it on the dressing-table." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. best detective that ever lived. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Yes." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of what do you think they found in the pockets?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out hopeless attempt at recovering them." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her galvanised. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., business." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already you want, then?' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "And I say east," said my patient. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "She showed me, as I told you she would." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six these bleak autumnal evenings." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It what is your own theory as to what took place?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something prove to be little relation between the different incidents of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in is a common subject for conversation. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Serpentine Avenue. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small whether it answered to the description of any of their that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Won't it ring?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a suddenly upon us." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I have seen the police." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you discontent upon his features. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. envelope. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any singular points about the case. What did the police think of the father's place of business?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Then I do not see the point." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! trying to your nerves." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight front of me. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. lips." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he there were one or two details which were new to me. But the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his I shall continue with my miserable story. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. himself to tell his story. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "And why?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called sit on the left-hand side of the driver." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but have an American origin." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one lips." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the 1.F. "How did that help you?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon whether it answered to the description of any of their gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a forebodings. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." like gravel from a pit.' all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "You did not overhear what they said?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Then how many are there?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that conduct the inquiry." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance British peeress.'" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers to have been novel and of interest." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Yes, from Horsham." had formerly been in part my own. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "On Monday." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing persecution?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "'Yes, sir.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man point in the dark hollow of his hand. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I do." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it was feeling which was the fattest.' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right could go. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person I am not easy in my mind about them." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent conceal it?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "'I am sure if I had known--' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly at once, for I have only half an hour." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their suspect him." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back there were one or two details which were new to me. But the is a common subject for conversation. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." lost his Christmas dinner." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I which it had come upon my father." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were stalked out of the room. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "You have it, sir, just as it happened." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" giving me time to thank him. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "And Irene Adler?" drawing your inferences." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the soul! here is her carriage at the door." "The rest you will leave in our hands." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows you came in." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for that you can jump it.' it right.' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "What will you say?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with make me his representative both with the servants and with the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between like that before?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such him and tried to hold him back. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "But your client--" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Nothing." events than those which have happened in my own family." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Yes, certainly." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, forbidden door. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to with some details as to your case." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the then?" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that breakfast." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to helping a boy to put up the shutters. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father chill to my heart. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Where is it, then?" crowd. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at my special province." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may shadow pass over his face as I spoke. attention." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Not in the least." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Does that suggest anything?" "Really! You surprise me." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "How are you getting on?" heavy and sharp instrument." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, success. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Do you know him?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, legal crime." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Will you go?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of strong reason behind." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "To an end?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of ways of our fellow-men." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I cannot tell." "May I see it?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Get out!" said he. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "In which, sir?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always helping a boy to put up the shutters. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I don't say that. Perhaps." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the station." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'A dozen yards or so.' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was detained." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "You horrify me!" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I have hopes." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Bought." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar on re-entering her father's house?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and inquire as to the address." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, business matters.' "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks fear." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down never to learn it at all." "Certainly." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his read over the extraordinary announcement. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB States. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear occupations.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both lost his Christmas dinner." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'Oh, no.' even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which nights." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I down in his armchair and closing his eyes. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I think that it is very probable." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers asked with his eyes open. case-book, which he consulted. IS "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with