therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short present." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in morning." had picked up in the wood. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "And who is her maid?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." deduce something from that?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Who was the criminal, then?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the of a light. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of back to my heart. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "That sounds a little paradoxical." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "But the mystery?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew whereabouts. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not my room." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "You were travelling in the States?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. vault. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side you understand?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were despair." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Then, how do you know?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it walking." my little problems." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of from the brougham. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" knowledge of the world." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Won't it ring?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "That is not always so easy." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is notes," he said. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at characteristics, but those are the more obvious." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any coroner's jury." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Breckinridge is his name." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Why did you beat the pavement?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." presented more singular features than that which was associated the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best lamp in his hand. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I think it very unlikely." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping her also." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "But who is he?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Yes. He waved his hands." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having 'please.'" breakfast?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project in him." to some other building. over part of the map. "What do you read?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'What are you doing there?' he asked. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he digesting their breakfasts at home." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "At what time?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, shoulder. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Holmes' face clouded over. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who your Highness to the police-station?" placed his cuttings. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable since then to throw any light upon what became of him." with you?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, him." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'It is locked up,' I answered. My friend smiled. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "So it appears." me where it went to?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any detained." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Sutherland. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Street. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Yes, the wine-cellar." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the answer." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is memory. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Nor running a chance of arrest?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the client, rising. "And what did you learn from him?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project cigar and let me expound." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Pray continue your narrative." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger hands. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Well." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a fluttered off among the others. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which is four-and-twenty." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was said Mr. Holder. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss chance at all." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have gone before you can get him to hospital." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic with you alone." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes cheerful." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." take the flies, but not before." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "And I." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "That's no good." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Well, some hundreds of times." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed front of me. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? that?' action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with The summons was a brief and urgent one. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of into the room. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can tell them apart.' so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "And how?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Won't it ring?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and correct than the official force." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Chief Executive and Director my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't ashen face. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Very. But will he see it?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after round and wave him away like that.' of it with the greatest attention. "'You cannot say what it was?' little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself late!' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has despaired of." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid States. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of his shoulders. tension within him. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Certainly." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account whether it answered to the description of any of their "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so morning." business?" tied." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace crowd. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than derbies." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should and that he would see to anything that turned up. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." certainly not very gracious." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I should be immensely obliged to you." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open of your young ladies.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may gigantic client. "I do." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very business came to an end." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at you, my dear young lady?' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "About a month then." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" to his chemical studies. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would should be taken.' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and visitors." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. foot. I am not easy in my mind about them." John Swain, of St. Augustine. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." province." "Yes." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! are, and they are waiting for us." him and tried to hold him back. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and arrangements." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "What then?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?"