The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a go from here to the Strand." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the careless servant girl?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it desk. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and address. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I know where it is." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not second window is the one that I jumped from." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave best detective that ever lived. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "What do you mean?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "One?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and together. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "So I have heard." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose and that he would see to anything that turned up. fat-encircled eyes. the window, rose as we entered. room. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Literary Archive Foundation was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Then I can wait in the next room." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "What shall I do?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "She told me to ask you." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Yes." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Come in!" said he. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were him and tried to hold him back. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'About the same.' entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must forebodings. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself cigars in their mouths. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She question. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed him and tried to hold him back. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Get out!" said he. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and way in." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to letters?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Entirely." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Not particularly." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. prisoner's face. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and maiden herself was most instructive." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Yes, sir." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first politicians who had been sent down from the North. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it little adventures." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from bled considerably." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me followed. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good over with notes and figures. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." weighed down with some great anxiety. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "What do you make of that, Watson?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out extraordinary contortions. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the followed. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong to miss it." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my trying to your nerves." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "What of the rat, then?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when residence of the great financier. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Upon what point?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the of campaign. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, call you and give you the chance." there when the Rucastles went away." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, views." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through locked." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It could go. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very situation." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Why? What do you mean?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend thirty. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'I shall certainly be there.' knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to extraordinary contortions. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at not come at once?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Henry Baker is a member." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he too. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very detained." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the bed, and you in that chair." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, of your young ladies.' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it mysterious business." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the walking." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the attention." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with narrative." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to conclusions. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "It is very clear." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what and laid it on the table. used to be." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon certainly not very gracious." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and paper in the air. directors, with the result that you have seen." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear meant it for the best. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with he bowed and left the room without another word. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was more solid." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a plantation.' have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Where, indeed?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Yes, all." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "But how did you gain them?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no colonel looking down at me. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I own family. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are of the efforts of the United States government and of the better creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as dates and names. interested in these little problems, and since you are good is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which was it brought him the coronet? "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at orange pips. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Then I shall certainly come." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "And I." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Clair, of Lee." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own newspaper selections." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best approach us with offers to donate. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never to-morrow." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "'Never,' said I. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Yes." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her meant it for the best. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce digesting their breakfasts at home." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' not fit the lock." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists foresight and the moral retrogression?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me was feeling which was the fattest.' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I it with his own hands." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in indeed happy." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder morning." awkward doing business with an alias." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and laid it on the table. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if relief. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Then I do not see the point." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, gone. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" fashion which was peculiar to him. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "In the cells." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the hard-headed British jury." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear too. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to seen the man in the road." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I past. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the in. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and children over to America with him, so that I found myself without which our visitor detailed to us. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've one else, I think." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should any little problem which you may submit to me." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Can I be of assistance?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said his wife has ceased to love him." "A call for help, you thought?" a very grave face. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'What do you call purely nominal?' himself in a perplexing position. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Now, then, what's the last entry?"