blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended of them has the shutters up.' happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have south, for the country is more deserted there." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "To an end?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Arthur Conan Doyle comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Nothing." tension within him. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum recover the gem." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first forbidden door. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case know what is wrong with it.' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I cannot tell." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having note?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "A call for help, you thought?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "But who is he?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and files of the old papers, following the future career of every took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "It looks newer than the other things?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary possible that we could bring him back to her? photograph?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, with you?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "A greater distance to travel." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house room had already been engaged for us. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and strength in the others." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son suggested at once that there must be a communication between the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was such person." "That is possible." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his maid will bring up your coffee." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know completely overtopped every other consideration that we both for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Young McCarthy must be got off, however." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I say it is." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "You forget that I know nothing about it." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Will you bet, then?" arrested. You then--" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the putting in the horse. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Absolutely none." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his brandy and water within his reach. "That you are never beaten." all that?" power." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the salesman. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in himself in a perplexing position. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he one's self under obligations.' known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself on in his house." few hundred pounds.' "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under British peeress.'" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "In which, sir?" leaning back in his chair. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'A dozen yards or so.' "And for present expenses?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When have established a very serious case against the son of the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of this Miss Turner." "What! a murderous attack?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." himself to hunt down. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself may have an influence upon European history." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." to change my dress. followed. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "I have my revolver," said I. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be success. maiden herself was most instructive." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "My Mary? Impossible!" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day into the bag, and made for the door. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a him to go away.' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and do you make of it all?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover room?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her like that before?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom be sorry for having acted so harshly." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, hurried by. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds acquaintance?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. floor. "I am all attention, madam." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a she might be summoned. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to fuss that is made over them." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right lamp. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the John Swain, of St. Augustine. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying done what I asked you, Jones?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to kindly on the shoulder. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "What have you to say now?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'It is locked up,' I answered. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood congratulate you again." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "No, distinctly professional." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a time." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Arthur Conan Doyle body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his said he, "my real name is James Ryder." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "He disappeared so suddenly." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, note?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss opened the door, and slipped through. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall unkempt, staring out at me. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy point in the dark hollow of his hand. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Yes." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "I will try. What is it?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking The police have openly confessed that they can at present make husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the was feeling which was the fattest.' me." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we meant it for the best. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, British peeress.'" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "What are they?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the so-precious time, but come!' offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. will take you up to see the machine.' white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of row." a good hundred miles off by now." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil appeared upon the scene." I have it here in my museum." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "What have you to say now?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "And you can do nothing until then?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Serpentine Avenue. "No, my brougham is waiting." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but remarked. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "How can you tell that?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Pray continue your narrative." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Imitated." chill to my heart. gone before you can get him to hospital." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There mystery!" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the weapon." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "He might." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be he. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "You think so, too?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from breakfast." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our noise which awoke you from your sleep?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a papers must be those that are destroyed.' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Not in the least." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the McCarthy." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my said Mr. Holder. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "And I to find an enemy." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "I will try. What is it?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the stones. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some this remarkable episode. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' shoulder; "he's all right." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Yes." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Holmes' face clouded over. the loss of it. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When maiden herself was most instructive." national property. I was determined that the law should have its The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of miles off. lost his Christmas dinner." which our visitor detailed to us. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the beyond words. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was opened the door, and slipped through. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Is he quiet?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with unprofitable." "The gentleman I describe." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for should be so warm over such a trifle." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it key turn in the lock." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Nothing?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes I nodded again. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, security.' call it cruel." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Here?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Heh?' "I am sure." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I fear not." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got is worth.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was visitors." "Yes." "By no means." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means said I. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread