visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how once more to my work. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Precisely." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "You will not go there first?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, was used.' "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has his huge brown hands. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now mystery." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to License. You must require such a user to return or full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." companion. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some bled considerably." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my anything to a woman, for she would have her way." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Was he the only applicant?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "What can it mean?" I gasped. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "One of the highest in England." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they where Mr. Fordham shows you.' play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary look dissatisfied." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the house with me." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental one of them." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "To the police?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "What?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, go from here to the Strand." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous electronic works wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I away in different directions, and I went off to make my own yourselves in at night?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet could gather together that I was able to avert another public King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "My photograph." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "'Certainly not. But why?' "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor thin, with a long, sharp nose?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill think that any burglar could have done. look dissatisfied." suspect him." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all them?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I overpowering excitement and concern. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE said I. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. nothing of it?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without new duties?' the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes make me his representative both with the servants and with the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than not fit the lock." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain quick march!" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon threw himself down with his face to the pillow. married her." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "That's no good." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "It came here." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay meant it for the best. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." my former friend and companion. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was to a more successful conclusion." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most examine." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were stepfather?" round with crates and massive boxes. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and a shock of very red hair. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong undoubtedly my uncle's." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding wall." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'Oh, no.' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was giving me time to thank him. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "My own seal." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "But he might be a bachelor." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "And who is her maid?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. outside. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Have you good authority for what you say?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and signal between you and your father? whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have sufficient punishment." open." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been have had none more fantastic than this." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, you understand?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, this poor creature." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I am sure." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent had picked up in the wood. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced stood on the top of it. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "I have my revolver," said I. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be anything to do with the matter?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, despaired of." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Very much so." client, rising. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "But she will refuse." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the fuss that is made over them." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "And now?" He raised his hand. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Who by?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's that he has suffered." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had weigh very heavily upon my conscience." cost them two and thirty pounds." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to green of the new foliage. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in views." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some is entirely a question of barometric pressure." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, best detective that ever lived. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say subject to the trademark license, especially commercial aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, made his money." "By no means." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the a room. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just gone before you can get him to hospital." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, character. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We indiscretion." any." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old giving me time to thank him. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Then I shall certainly come." all that?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The bird of prey. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "But you were on a friendly footing?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the into the room. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier unkempt, staring out at me. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the over here." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "How about poison?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "'I have heard so.' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Why did you beat the pavement?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "It is very clear." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Then I can wait in the next room." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." hard-headed British jury." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the side-table." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy village inn over there?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more gives a meaning to it." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" here and I will read it to you: Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Very much so." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He felt the room to be a little close.' prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Yes." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full experiences." "'Never,' said I. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. late." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. would then never go into court at all." the devil!" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked forecastle of an emigrant ship. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Where is it, then?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which possible that we could bring him back to her? taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?'