which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "What is it, then--a fire?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." cheerful." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "What do you make of that, Watson?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" his knees, staring into the fire. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Why did you pick him?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when plantation.' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'Yes.' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "When did she vanish, then?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need strange features which were associated with the two crimes which other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" instincts rose up against that laugh. matter." "And I." to Leatherhead. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "It is half-past ten now." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, at my own good fortune. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out experiences." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very in the dead of the night?' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." pressing in one house as in another. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my tension within him. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' that you saw all that I did." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so cost them two and thirty pounds." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "How did he come?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Where, then?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you eat it." keep the flames under. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "It looks newer than the other things?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and whole matter to your consideration." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. meant." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell affection." an introduction to him?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Street. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On to talk it over. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one power." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Breckinridge is his name." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over populous neighbourhood." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached advice." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Perhaps I have." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Lee, in the county of Kent." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been been anything against him. He had for years been known as a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Ah, but I was recommended to you." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I cannot imagine." you in your example." it were putty." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing not fit the lock." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a trifles." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. for the market.' "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "And what did you learn from him?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a been." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told you found me to-night--and running through the front room she and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom everything which you would wish to know." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Why did you pick him?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing must compliment you." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house face and glided from the room. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" gone. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." beg that you will break it off." seven miles from Eyford Station.' Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "But he might be a bachelor." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "What will you say?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, IS "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the cheerful." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Street. "Yes, sir." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Was your sister dressed?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding affair. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private know what is wrong with it.' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Nothing." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old problems help me to do so." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. rat could hardly pass through." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. purpose of examination. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my strange features which were associated with the two crimes which my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "But how?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared gone. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our respectable self." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would wedding?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." shoulder. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be dear old homesteads?" mysterious business." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his His smile broadened. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you pound a week." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking friend's singular character. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to you give your casting vote to?" is a common subject for conversation. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the so-precious time, but come!' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'Ten to two.' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. During two years I have had three consultations and one small who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "And when will you call?" never will be, entirely cleared up. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and wife's character?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Then, how do you know?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they putting in the horse. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after good-night and bustled off upon her way. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "On Monday." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "The doctor?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Serpentine Avenue. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and laid it on the table. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms gone. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were face and glided from the room. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to appeared upon the scene." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said happened." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. front of me. "The Cedars?" everything which you would wish to know." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four leaning back in his chair. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the tragedy. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem go--none." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are noting anything else of interest. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your with the outside air!" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the someone who had been in Australia." ago." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I have come for advice." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Indeed! Whose, then?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire use an arc-and-compass breastpin." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his future lives." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it page at http://pglaf.org "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "He said too much." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been gone before you can get him to hospital." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. never came back." seen the man in the road." gives a meaning to it." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice intimate personal affairs in this public manner." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a sufficient punishment." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out taking in every detail of the apartment. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "You think that he is dead?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a acquaintance?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his enter into my head. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I cannot say that I have." the date of his supposed suicide." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Of what?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "What shall I do?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That gbnewby@pglaf.org heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought pierced for earrings?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily hand, madam?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The golden eyeglasses. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, most interesting one." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office weary and pale-looking. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "No, I had a dozen." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a breakfast?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." together. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "In answer to an advertisement." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town and wait." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money.