indeed happy." public press." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'Quite sure, dad.' was keenly on my guard against him. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves situation." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon that I am arrested." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' strange features which were associated with the two crimes which believe that I should never have any practice at all. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable quite distinctive." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "May I see it?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Never." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "The gentleman I describe." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "What?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in noting anything else of interest. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that criminal. We have already had experience of such." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his union?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry not fit the lock." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Pray let us have it, for all that." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I prepare for the new role I have to play." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home tied." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. me. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of indiscretion." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put will be renamed. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I will get her to show me." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." drove away. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all advice." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your my secret was safe in his possession. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you constraint." "My dear Holmes!" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "What will you do, then?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through remarked. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. For additional contact information: course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have not as remarkable as your advertisement." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "What do you make of that, Watson?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I seen the man in the road." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "What can you not understand?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at night.' said he. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to key turn in the lock." maiden herself was most instructive." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have business?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. forehead. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'Yes.' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have advice." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little there when the Rucastles went away." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It wanted for ourselves." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about correct than the official force." "Won't it ring?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and know that the truth is known." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "To an end?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had constraint." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. him." "It is his hat." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "What, then?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'What, the red-headed man?' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were ways including including checks, online payments and credit card and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to lamp. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "'What, the red-headed man?' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Get out!" said he. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I that you wished to speak to me?' system of imprisonment?" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "I cannot as yet see any connection." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "What is it, then--a fire?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and the colonel ushered me in. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' room had already been engaged for us. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "He is dead," cried several voices. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "But you can know nothing of this?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "To an English lawyer named Norton." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I have come for advice." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you night.' said he. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." spark where all is dark to me." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found have not had my rubber." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You where Mr. Fordham shows you.' was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our fear." get her out of the way." memory. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen derbies." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." confronted him. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A flock.' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the you for a few hours?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped may have an influence upon European history." appeal." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Dirty?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was may have an influence upon European history." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' records." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic disappearance of the bride.'" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Leadenhall Street--and--" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Upon what point?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Where to?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. him!" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. opened the door, and slipped through. someone who had been in Australia." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't outbreak?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the call for it in person on Monday morning.' standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was hurried by. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I followed. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Very truly yours, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am me have 200 pounds?' girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. as yours." empty. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," of note-paper. It read in this fashion: asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Yes, he did." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would outside. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months in one or two places in England?' to-night's adventure." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." footfalls from the street. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian even so self-evident a thing as that." fat-encircled eyes. lamp. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with shall not find me ungrateful." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "And I to find an enemy." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into problems help me to do so." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "We were both in the photograph." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited with you alone." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had be. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make she slowly sank and died without having recovered her your troubles." system of imprisonment?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you already referred to. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I colour had been driven from his face. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first three fields round his house, and there he would take his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the inner apartment." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "It was an hour's good drive." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a bachelor.' day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered some water from a caraffe.