Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the salesman. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. client, rising. developed." you?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a intrusion of other matters." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is all that?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there man. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. one's self under obligations.' a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such that you saw all that I did." him nearly every evening." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and rat could hardly pass through." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my get the tickets." jewels which you have stolen?' might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Did you observe the colour?" official police." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united what these perils are?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of instincts rose up against that laugh. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, States. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened train from Paddington which would bring you there at about hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Just look it up, then." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at gentleman's clothes. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by ceremony." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "'Oh, no.' income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas and a shock of very red hair. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "An enemy?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Yes, at the mines." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor about here speaks of his kindness to him." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who forbidden door. Lee, in the county of Kent." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." fear." strength in the others." that I may have something better before very many minutes are accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS when your master had gone out." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had with frightened eyes at his accuser. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "None." "I am all attention, madam." photograph a cabinet?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the coroner come to?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some legal crime." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I think that it is very probable." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known against a man in the prime of life?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion should be taken.' darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "The best possible." ventilator." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the station." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers and your relations to her." attention." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most asked with his eyes open. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw strong and stiff." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose because she had spent so short a time in this country that she all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Witness: It was. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Game for a morning drive?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I have solved it." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert minor matters until to-morrow." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I habit of advancing money.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since there!' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Yes." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to fait accompli?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Of Friday, June 19th." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a three of the beryls in it, was missing. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. instincts rose up against that laugh. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Thank you. Pray proceed." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed highly," said Holmes. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, that there was nothing in it, after all." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the really the only notable feature about the thing." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the one as in the other." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter My friend smiled. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those congratulate you again." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his of this gang." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Yes." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Literary Archive Foundation jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be McCarthy." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of eavesdroppers?' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light reach." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she upon the shelf for the interim." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major away to you." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Yes, at the mines." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Was the window open?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Certainly." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a heavy and sharp instrument." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Oh, fresh and glossy." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "None." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward grasp, he hurried from the room. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from it with his own hands." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" highly," said Holmes. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business tension within him. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Very. But will he see it?" "No." your only hope of safety." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the seem to you to be relevant or not." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock cigars in the box." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague be there in time for your coming." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "No, but the enclosure is." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to possible that we could bring him back to her? to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no upon the white wrist. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Pope's Court, Fleet Street." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the with some details as to your case." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "No, I am descending." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to your most interesting statement." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual companion quietly. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town views." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Not in a good cause." examine." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "She told me to ask you." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I should be immensely obliged to you." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, man. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's asked. any." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Won't it ring?" best detective that ever lived. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in generous with you in money matters.' 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & several quiet little villages up there." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Doctor, of the paper and the date." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and crackling voice. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "You know me, then?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "I am armed." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Why did you pick him?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "That's no good." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and she to prove their authenticity?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into one of the states of the Union." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Murdered?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, undoubtedly my uncle's." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "One of his hands." "Perhaps I have." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. away into the river." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Where did you address your letters, then?" you understand?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Well, but China?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be went to the Alpha were town bred." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Deserted you?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my late." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Not him." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Really! You surprise me." what these perils are?" with some details as to your case." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I will get her to show me." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, were wasted." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of writers could invent nothing more crude." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her been deceived." sound at heart." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Count Von Kramm." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming