will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB retorted upon me, and I on you." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Look there!" said he. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless official police." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to people don't know." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that if she died from some sudden fright." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at unprecedented a position." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" taking in every detail of the apartment. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to nights." "And now?" I asked. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I promise," said Holmes. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Nothing." "'What, the red-headed man?' "How did he come?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the gone. affection." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of strode off upon his way. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction until night should bring an explanation. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in instincts rose up against that laugh. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of she has been waylaid. There has been no result." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, to-morrow." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Will you go?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' wanted for ourselves." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple formed some opinion?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "And you thought he was pulled back?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "You horrify me!" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "What of the rat, then?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then it with his own hands." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his the coroner come to?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the his forehead." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who my little problems." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and the whole place is in a blaze." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was may have an influence upon European history." get the tickets." appointment with me for six o'clock?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it as noiselessly as she had come. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not was the fact that his father should, according to his account, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you skylight. "What?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk purpose equally well?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send ordinary clothes on?" to have been novel and of interest." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Never." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my matter." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were call you and give you the chance." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in just ask you whether you had heard it.' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Get out!" said he. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the or other trace. But how on earth--" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a records." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had already been minutely examined." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "And what did you learn from him?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "In the cells." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to arrive at through this?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" trifles." "And why?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our husband's writing, madam." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I shall most certainly do so." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at considering the formidable letters which were received by himself little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a future lives." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable dramatic, in fact." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "That is not always so easy." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I am armed." quick march!" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. heavily into it. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the window, rose as we entered. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking you." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I will, Miss Turner." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "No, my brougham is waiting." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as your most interesting statement." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "One of his hands." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "The vanishing of the lady." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his asked. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, me." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Texas, I think." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Yes?" tail." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family bedroom door." in the hope of finding them." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Certainly." outsides of the windows. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "It was an hour's good drive." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at families. Now for the facts. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is wall." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set the side-table." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "But you have hopes?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest once more. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "The knees of his trousers." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room you." matter over." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Dark enough and sinister enough." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "It is a murder, then?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a with you alone." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found hands. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of carried out of court." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." brain must have something in it." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." late." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will rose-bushes. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy like gravel from a pit.' was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, one of the states of the Union." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The a monotonous occupation." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I warn you that they are very incomplete." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was are, I think, all that we need." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "He is dead," cried several voices. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of carried out of court." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the orange pips. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'How far from the body?' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "'Stolen!' he cried. "My dear Holmes!" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "And who is her maid?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the already been minutely examined." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Very much so." Stoke Moran." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, occurred." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the pressing in one house as in another. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" not personally threatened." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled presume?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few observed. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to ready to-morrow?' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Tired-looking or fresh?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." hereditary King of Bohemia." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "What! a murderous attack?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with leaning back in his chair. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, about here speaks of his kindness to him." voice. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in him nearly every evening." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the so.' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "A client, then?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "And you don't know his address?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He hand, madam?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and a shock of very red hair. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers.