and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Do you receive much company?" he asked. in him." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Not in the least." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. standing smiling on the door-step. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Perhaps I have." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote fled together." not as remarkable as your advertisement." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Chief Executive and Director dramatic, in fact." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me undoubtedly my uncle's." "Yes." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "It is to him that this trophy belongs." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "And on what day did he meet his death?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "And how did you verify them?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the prisoner's face. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Pope's Court, Fleet Street." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "There is the writing." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "10th. John Swain cleared. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a companion. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When bears upon the case?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic The events in question occurred in the early days of my a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry father's young wife. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. becomes even more simple." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "You think so, too?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, light and attacked it." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Yes, it would be as well." more solid." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted way in everything. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and awkward doing business with an alias." "An accident, I presume?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the behind me. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "How did that help you?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the down. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, at my own good fortune. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, touch that coronet?' seven miles from Eyford Station.' I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" I nodded again. "You will not go there first?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately I nodded to show that I had heard. "'Where to?' compunction about shooting them down." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and during the last few years, and there are many noble families to first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There such person." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; indeed which he could not unravel. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in allusion to a rat. province." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "If so, much may have happened between." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'I am sure if I had known--' "'What do you call purely nominal?' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was enough to aid us in our search." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a maiden herself was most instructive." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I presented more singular features than that which was associated eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the do." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. there has been an enclosure here!" "Where, indeed?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I what I may call a really hard day's work." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, article?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the like that before?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I saw her in conversation with her maid." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do conduct the inquiry." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue acted in my house last night?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her God! What an exposure! What can I do?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "You know me, then?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to room?" "By no means." "Did you become engaged then?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the throat." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Absolutely?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Nothing?" "There is the writing." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "One?" felt the room to be a little close.' of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "The best possible." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "That sounds a little paradoxical." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Because he was handy and would come cheap." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper that he will be back before evening." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we speckled band?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each For additional contact information: had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at It may be so in this case, also." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. me. a room. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel visitors." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had father's young wife. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "No, my brougham is waiting." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had his wife has ceased to love him." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he exactly what you advise." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the introspective fashion. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining business?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me before, for it was considerably after midnight. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a ready to-morrow?' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "What then?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Where is it, then?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as shoulder; "he's all right." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "It is his hat." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in she slowly sank and died without having recovered her James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB you?' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "The landlord of the Alpha." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed desk. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, back into the street. http://gutenberg.net/license). particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "We have tried and failed." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by the King without delay." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove residence of the great financier. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and village inn over there?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the grasp, he hurried from the room. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Then what has happened to him?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "I have come for advice." outside." what these perils are?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." might have a private word with us. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and wait." spark where all is dark to me." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope suddenly upon us." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended is now desirous of getting those letters back." such person." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the coronet in his hands?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No me, and I could not think that his explanation of the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the light and attacked it." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling assist you in forming an opinion." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very acted in my house last night?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" once more. once more for Briony Lodge. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a your billet.' the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "But we can't all be." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he details." there in twenty minutes." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual forbidden door. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the them?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "And it is--" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "My Mary? Impossible!" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all of fine shops and stately business premises that they really then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Yes, sir." sofa. This way, please!" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. call for it in person on Monday morning.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the