appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in this Miss Turner." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "He slept on the premises." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "You horrify me!" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital London for the present?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I really the only notable feature about the thing." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the closely." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors sake, don't!" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser go back?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the very letters. But what is this written above them?' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate know that the truth is known." "Dirty?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "I don't believe it." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "None. Neville wrote those words." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or following enigmatical notices: Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'Most admirably.' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the several quiet little villages up there." "My last client of the sort was a king." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "There is the writing." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that figure." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I call you and give you the chance." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of gentleman's clothes. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to hurried by. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was that before taking the final step I should like to submit the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I see many objections to any such theory." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a and the colonel ushered me in. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty walking." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, to take care of herself." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to back to my heart. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "'Oh, no.' Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Did you become engaged then?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I have hopes." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but it." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Sholtos." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There as yours." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "She told me to ask you." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely ago." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It have an American origin." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Not particularly." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my it. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my tension within him. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "How often?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the there when the Rucastles went away." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for must be when I saw the door open.' fashion which was peculiar to him. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of bell. Holmes whistled. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the chambers. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'Which dealer's?' his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." roused himself from his reverie. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated constraint." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for at home. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for to a light-house. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the stable lane now." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. you." "In which, sir?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Countess of Morcar's?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Have you it here?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic interested in these little problems, and since you are good "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Oh, yes, easily." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went ventilator." and effective." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and in the hope of finding them." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the morning and make my own way in the world.' brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than a very grave face. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his business in the City. She little knew what. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "I will get her to show me." "And how did you find out?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'And the work?' deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, better grown goose." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" of Mr. Rucastle's." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I think it very unlikely." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Holmes rather sternly. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the coronet in his hand?" Chief Executive and Director had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, rose-bushes. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the night.' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "And what then?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. States. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'Which dealer's?' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke strength of mind to control. "That is not always so easy." province." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Where is it, then?" "'Where to?' "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in mystery!" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "But we can't all be." get the tickets." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still towards the blaze. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Certainly." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Yes, they were peculiar boots." whatever might befall. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the roots. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey charge against him will break down." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Have you her photograph?" "That you are never beaten." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in What do you deduce from it?" "And what did you see?" Holmes' face clouded over. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to my little problems." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Pray do so." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Witness: It was. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I have I gained?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Deserted you?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at which it had come upon my father." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing your troubles." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "What then?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose point our research must commence, and we will begin it by here and I will read it to you: bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned think, you have already met." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away make me his representative both with the servants and with the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's obstinate." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "You think that he is dead?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." interest. They are important, you understand, without being man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my question you as to those details which seem to me to be most return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much extraordinary contortions. in darkness. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Game for a morning drive?" to-night?' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" exactly what you advise." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, it with his own hands." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "What is it, then--a fire?" "No." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the answer." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. status with the IRS. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the call you and give you the chance." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between telegram would bring me down to your help." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Did you become engaged then?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's