drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own without a word or a look. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he constraint." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "How long did she speak to this Alice?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable I leave." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt is worth.' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "What steps will you take?" I asked. is a common subject for conversation. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. murdered man." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here him to be an active member of the medical profession." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "How on earth--" "'Then let me do so?' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the purpose of examination. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to where she found matters as described by the last witness. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You drawing your inferences." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "That is it on the dressing-table." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and respectable self." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room photograph?" roused himself from his reverie. "I say that I have solved it." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he your own bird, so if you wish--" "May I see it?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential it right.' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." just called myself is not exactly my own." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I him and tried to hold him back. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Was there a secret marriage?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He morning." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "In the cells." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Project Gutenberg-tm works. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when it were putty." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'Yes, I promise.' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in ashen face. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that memory. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in colour had been driven from his face. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. hour?' get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that he bowed and left the room without another word. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. to have been novel and of interest." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I should be immensely obliged to you." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Yes." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each all that?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the been shamefully used." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an The events in question occurred in the early days of my comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I cannot imagine." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom obstinate." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second to a more successful conclusion." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the horse could go." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and that you saw all that I did." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back weapon." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of fear." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "You saw the ventilator, too?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" good for you to do.' me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You horrify me!" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria indeed which he could not unravel. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of she might be summoned. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "No, I think that I'll take it." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "It came here." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Never." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and case-book, which he consulted. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a nothing of it?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then and capable of preserving a secret.' "He slept on the premises." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." of them has the shutters up.' outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Have you her photograph?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were disappearance of the bride.'" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "But of what society?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, ceremony." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and the colonel ushered me in. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of do.' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour John Swain, of St. Augustine. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they I think that I could be of assistance to you." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Is he quiet?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the purpose of examination. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had his wife has ceased to love him." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The next day. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt official police." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Yes, only one." retorted upon me, and I on you." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the roots. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her head. So long, then!" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret evidence," I remarked. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the business matters.' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father with some details as to your case." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs During two years I have had three consultations and one small legal crime." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Your French gold?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to certainly not very gracious." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the questioning and rather startled gaze. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Munro.' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they crowd. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should John Swain, of St. Augustine. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Then you may entirely rely on me." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Chief Executive and Director little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and laid it on the table. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go went to the Alpha were town bred." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been mysterious business." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "It is very clear." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and that he would see to anything that turned up. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Then he might have called to you?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever detained." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project my special province." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I have seen the police." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Again Holmes raved in the air. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "My opinion is in no way altered." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in standing smiling on the door-step. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. present." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "And why?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which a monotonous occupation." "They are typewritten," I remarked. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was and looked back. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to crime." have I gained?" "Then I shall certainly come." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third him to be an active member of the medical profession." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Yes." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "No, I had a dozen." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the other, as fresh and trim as possible. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "What will you say?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean despair." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Holmes, the busybody!" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Yes, it would be as well." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, passage and a tap at the door. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "That is easily got." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Holmes' room. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "My Mary? Impossible!"