north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done felt the room to be a little close.' belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "It is true that I have been generally successful." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, have an American origin." "That is easily got." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "What I expected to see." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated into the bag, and made for the door. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Not particularly." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his a good hundred miles off by now." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature envelope. someone who had been in Australia." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Chief Executive and Director Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Oh, yes, easily." telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "9th. McCauley cleared. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked individual and becomes the badge of a society." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with there when the Rucastles went away." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said read it out to me." occurred." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my which it had come upon my father." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, never will be, entirely cleared up. "Precisely." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are problems help me to do so." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average opportunities to fix the problem. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. is acting for the best. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Yes, sir." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to room. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of reach." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the about. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Do you go out much in society?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Cross for the Continent." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence front of me. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: up this clue while it is still hot." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." a little more before I quite committed myself. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you over with notes and figures. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable of a light. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and colour had been driven from his face. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Yesterday." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this stepfather?" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Seven!" I answered. telegram would bring me down to your help." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his gone. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier done what I asked you, Jones?" him. you." case-book, which he consulted. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Certainly." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Holmes' room. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "9th. McCauley cleared. and glanced through. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "It surprised me." night.' said he. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "And why?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. hand, madam?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and sofa. This way, please!" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' outsides of the windows. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary you found me to-night--and running through the front room she this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with she slowly sank and died without having recovered her know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three bedroom door." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a as he folded up the epistle. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "That you are never beaten." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had feature." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Lee, in the county of Kent." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "It missed him, then?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general direction." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it such person." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "You will not go there first?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort to his chemical studies. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of that I am arrested." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes papers." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of client, rising. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Yes, at the mines." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the station." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Farm upon the left." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at window when the police appeared." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil must be when I saw the door open.' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders suggested at once that there must be a communication between the of your young ladies.' Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "By all means." tell me that you intended to go into harness." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. matter." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I say that I have solved it." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most back to my heart. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, to-morrow." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near been shamefully used." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "What then?" "A greater distance to travel." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'Ample.' "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" his cane at the bell-pull. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman sake, don't!" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her had picked up in the wood. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I nodded to show that I had heard. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram of them has the shutters up.' "What can it mean?" I gasped. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure that he has suffered." our word." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for disappearance of the bride.'" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. and glanced through. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can fuss that is made over them." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in events, Mr. Windibank!" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." I shall continue with my miserable story. Foundation He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Farm upon the left." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "What do you make of that, Watson?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the had picked up in the wood. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg tension within him. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Lestrade of Scotland Yard." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Where to?" back alive. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the so-precious time, but come!' shall not find me ungrateful." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "There are none." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'Where could I find him?' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed you do it in twenty minutes!' Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "That's no good." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Then he might have called to you?" "Which are?" into the bag, and made for the door. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "We were both in the photograph." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "You are hungry," I remarked. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his matter." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "It surprised me." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the mysterious business." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the devil!" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest your only hope of safety." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If delirious. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of was used.' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform appeared upon the scene." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that children over to America with him, so that I found myself without instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office one or two very singular points about this room. For example, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since thirty. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Look there!" said he. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was page at http://pglaf.org Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way information in his hands the value of which he did not himself near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp daring than any effort of the imagination." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he felt the room to be a little close.' "Witness: Nothing definite. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" it." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for gigantic client. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a reach." highly," said Holmes. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Absolutely?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "And did you observe any change in her then?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been