"Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "It is a murder, then?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Entirely." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon side. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact rat could hardly pass through." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I quite distinctive." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "None." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Yes." do.' I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was placed his cuttings. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" to have that photograph." matter over." "No sign of it?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Dirty?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my skylight. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds never to learn it at all." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be feature." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless outsides of the windows. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Yes." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. about. particular state visit http://pglaf.org noble correspondent could be. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She I shall continue with my miserable story. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and it right.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that come either from the window or the door. My attention was The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the people in all walks of life. status with the IRS. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Yes, certainly." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "It is very clear." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a front of me. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save likely to be some crony of the landlady's." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "His face fell immediately. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in matters immensely." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a The summons was a brief and urgent one. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon was it brought him the coronet? "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted bed dies. Does not that strike you?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. lamp in his hand. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I have seen the police." strength." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I have solved it." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." status with the IRS. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely unclasping of his long thin hands. this remarkable episode. "But she could not love him." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which himself in a perplexing position. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never business at Coburg Square is serious." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a his eyes and forehead. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." leaning back in his chair. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Holmes' face clouded over. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Well." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle highly," said Holmes. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Well?" of Mr. Rucastle's." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it when you have done it." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and had formerly been in part my own. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "And help." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a very old mansion. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity foot. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Yes, it would be as well." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad remarked. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you next day. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Then I do not see the point." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "But your client--" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Where did you address your letters, then?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." when your master had gone out." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully you understand?" "On your arm?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his frequently gained my first real insight into the character of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want were wasted." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Oh, yes, easily." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend gentleman's clothes. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss compunction about shooting them down." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than his huge brown hands. "None. Neville wrote those words." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Yes, certainly." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'There is a drive, then?' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I answered that I had not. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly humiliation." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey right! Sit down and let us talk it over." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Holmes. "Quite so. She has her freedom." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another something of him before." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Your sister is dead, then?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the and glanced through. him. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him some place of shelter and let the county police know what has helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to your co-operation." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists seven miles from Eyford Station.' the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit breakfast?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call problems help me to do so." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose charged with?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." remarked. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and before, for it was considerably after midnight. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round should be so warm over such a trifle." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO about. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue narrative." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "How are you getting on?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Where does the thing come from?' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either husband's writing, madam." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Well, it is a possible supposition." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "I was mad--insane." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great nice household for a young lady." would apply.' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall events, Mr. Windibank!" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "'Is purely nominal.' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation children over to America with him, so that I found myself without pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's once more. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one to miss it." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "ARAT," I read. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Watson," he said cordially. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want your billet.' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and morning." "If I can be of use." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a whether it answered to the description of any of their hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I that I am arrested." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in drove away. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "But of what society?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and once more for Briony Lodge. have not had my rubber." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "In which, sir?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Precisely." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my and have this put in the evening papers." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Dr. Gregory B. Newby questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you over part of the map. "What do you read?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "What shall I do?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Absolutely none." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if wedding?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the King without delay." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the roots. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at tied." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons