which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? gentleman's clothes. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "You have a clue?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." several quiet little villages up there." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table It was close upon four before the door opened, and a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no or in danger--" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up neither fascinating nor artistic." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "And you thought he was pulled back?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "He is dead," cried several voices. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "An accident, I presume?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. you understand?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and not come at once?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he strange features which were associated with the two crimes which showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this trifles." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does details." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Where, indeed?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the tragedy. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "And how did he make his money?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about child?' tied." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "And what did you learn from him?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that morning." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his McCarthy." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in opened a pocket-book and took out a note. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a to that open window." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was with some details as to your case." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it of the one which your family is now devouring." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "That's no good." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The in the hope of finding them." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. village inn over there?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for father's young wife. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "It is very kind of you." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right along the entire front of the house, with three long windows snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very upon the white wrist. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have annoyance, but no jest. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in that he has suffered." papers." "'Most admirably.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or past. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I have come for advice." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Eyford at 11:15.' go back?" your co-operation." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "The knees of his trousers." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, strode off upon his way. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the trying to your nerves." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather of a light. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally had formerly been in part my own. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Breckinridge is his name." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while these bleak autumnal evenings." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock himself to hunt down. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind your troubles." "Well?" "By no means." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw nothing of it?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the south-west, I see." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and question you as to those details which seem to me to be most bears upon the case?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as carpenter." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This only touch the interest." question," said Holmes, smiling. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "That also I could fathom." closing the door. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have power." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." fled together." leave you to your papers for a little." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "What of the rat, then?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make have been better. It is all right." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Where does the thing come from?' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Your French gold?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Really! You surprise me." upon the shelf for the interim." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "No bad?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Pray let us have it, for all that." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack lamp. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which help us in this matter." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and there in twenty minutes." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a go back?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to leaning back in his chair. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know interested in these little problems, and since you are good daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear you, my dear young lady?' so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong when you have done it." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so colour had been driven from his face. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a third from London." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions there has been an enclosure here!" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been to have been novel and of interest." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if leave you to your papers for a little." "On your arm?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would gives a meaning to it." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I shall most certainly do so." "Her father is very rich?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'As governess?' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Mrs. Toller serenely. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Look there!" said he. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been gbnewby@pglaf.org I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" yards of it?' window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down IS here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "No, I had a dozen." there!' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Stolen!' he cried. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "What! a murderous attack?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Quite so. She has her freedom." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Then he might have called to you?" distinguish the words: perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the back into the street. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. within hail.' what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I ourselves in the office." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "To ruin me." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are miles off. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking distinguish the words: shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the very letters. But what is this written above them?' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back like gravel from a pit.' contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest all-comprehensive glances. forebodings. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that should be taken.' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced even so self-evident a thing as that." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle both be extremely obliged.' "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went entirely devoid of interest." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the gigantic client. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, you in yours." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that stalked out of the room. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Stoke Moran." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "None. Neville wrote those words." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "But she could not love him." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Never." "Bought." "Do you know him?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out following enigmatical notices: ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "How about poison?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great way: the stones. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note late!' moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not back into the street. than was visible to me." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." works. See paragraph 1.E below. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal