Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and lectures into a series of tales." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. business at Coburg Square is serious." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent fact, we may call it conclusive." "But what will you do?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Stoke Moran?" said he. conceal it?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." knowledge of the world." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks clanging. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical like gravel from a pit.' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from open." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "'Never,' said I. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable have I gained?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning back into the street. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." works. See paragraph 1.E below. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Was she in good spirits?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I bird I ate is country bred." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "You think so, too?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out at my own good fortune. hardly wander." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to entirely lost his self-respect." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing corner of the building. "How are you getting on?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. passage and a tap at the door. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is what these perils are?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, was it brought him the coronet? "By all means." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we away in different directions, and I went off to make my own bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "The knees of his trousers." "Certainly." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. thought that she would have been so carried away." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the chambers. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the cup of tea. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, I nodded to show that I had heard. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in that you wished to speak to me?' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He British peeress.'" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Come in!" said Holmes. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Here?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is gives a meaning to it." "Dirty?" felt?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian papers diligently of late, have you not?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Yes." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an your room." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and possible that we could bring him back to her? sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Heh?' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Precisely." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very at a side door. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was business." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as least a fellow-countryman. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which bird of prey. for securing the situation." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Absolutely none." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a derbies." it." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "But we can't all be." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I would apply.' "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter power." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I forebodings. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." case-book, which he consulted. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "None. Neville wrote those words." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a weighed down with some great anxiety. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was on in his house." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the 11:15.' the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' my friend's incisive reasoning. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Holmes. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I am sure." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not very morning of my second wedding." tail." "The best possible." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I came to find a friend." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "How long did she speak to this Alice?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "It is very clear." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Eyford at 11:15.' "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage carpenter." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "On your arm?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every already been minutely examined." on re-entering her father's house?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Here?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Eyford at 11:15.' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Can I be of assistance?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. meanly of me." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." married her." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'Is purely nominal.' for and were ordered to this address. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your had a long day." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm against a man in the prime of life?" that he will be back before evening." you for a few hours?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not persecution?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Literary Archive Foundation his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, opportunities to fix the problem. in him." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "What can you not understand?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "My dear Holmes!" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "No, finished." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without dead, shall be safe with us." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be works. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the my former friend and companion. "The best possible." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, fat-encircled eyes. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the Red-headed League." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this ashen face. time." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I am about to be married." this poor creature." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the again on its way. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we his fortune, and I went back to pa. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and open." "Yes." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it his forehead." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a through." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without quick march!" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are union?" Countess of Morcar's?" to-night?" I asked. minor matters until to-morrow." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress beyond words. "It was." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I morning." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "The rest you will leave in our hands." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "This photograph!" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am generous with you in money matters.' the driver. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Yes, it was twisted." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. held up the lantern and gazed about him. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the date of his supposed suicide." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "On the contrary, this is the right side." train.' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Pope's Court, Fleet Street." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Have you it here?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. certainly not very gracious." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Thank you. And your address?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the me. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it humiliation." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the King without delay." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Munro.' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and your bag." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been