were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "And you don't know his address?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "No, but the enclosure is." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then breakfast and whispered something to her husband. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "It is very kind of you." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof interested in these little problems, and since you are good have not had my rubber." instituted." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'And the work?' from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the standing smiling on the door-step. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I served to weaken the effect. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a his grey eyes. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "A greater distance to travel." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I would pay ten." papers diligently of late, have you not?" strong reason behind." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each little adventures." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it telegram would bring me down to your help." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich then?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies very peculiar words of the dying woman?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa already referred to. "I came to find a friend." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You could not have written that. It is the German who is so lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a keep the flames under. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! business." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, that I can to serve you." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Game for a morning drive?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and events than those which have happened in my own family." congenial hunt. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Sholtos." Eyford." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Have you it here?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Where is it, then?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among very old mansion. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I have a cab outside." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not It may be so in this case, also." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "No." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under events than those which have happened in my own family." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the someone who had been in Australia." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so asked. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I will get her to show me." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "He is still with you, I presume?" future lives." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess plantation.' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Countess of Morcar's?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' even of instruction." woman." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "No, thank goodness, she did not." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "What office?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. 1.E.9. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice awaited us upon the table. with you?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Well." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the gone. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a place of silver." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "ARAT," I read. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Nothing." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. whether it answered to the description of any of their it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "So I have heard." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'Where to?' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his must be when I saw the door open.' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'Yes, I promise.' - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "I am following you closely," I answered. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I shall be delighted." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both late!' dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "It is very clear." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three burst into a hearty fit of laughter. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a charge against him will break down." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down when your master had gone out." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get advice." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, have had none more fantastic than this." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "That sounds a little paradoxical." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "My private note-paper." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Is he quiet?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which during that time.' later, upon the night of May 2nd." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid me upon any point which I do not make clear." are, I think, all that we need." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, row." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Never to return." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and bird of prey. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the nursery. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her most important business. It is probable that he will be away all lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further lids now and glanced across at his visitor. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "'And what salary do you ask?' of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those http://www.gutenberg.net "'Certainly,' I answered. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' DISSOLVED. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to hurried by. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution not fit the lock." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook but preventing her from injuring another. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it within hail.' there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand guilty parties." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special business in the City. She little knew what. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those persecution?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "None." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the must compliment you." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "That you are never beaten." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that prepare for the new role I have to play." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of most interesting one." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Well." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and conclusions. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Well, but China?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Where, then?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of his face which made him a very different person to the round, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Then I do not see the point." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny legal crime." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called foot. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely 'I should be able to look after that for you.' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he there has been an enclosure here!" allusion to a rat. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn advice." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his II. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Holmes, the busybody!" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very purpose equally well?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when to surprise her." "The King of Scandinavia." clang of the bell. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there his knees, staring into the fire. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "One of his hands." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable himself. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "To the police?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I have my revolver," said I. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a hour." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to