they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Bought." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Yes." is four-and-twenty." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for me what he had done with the three missing stones. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "What do you make of that, Watson?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, said Mr. Holder. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, me. You must get home instantly and act." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. posted to-day." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the room while you explain this matter?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his appointment with me for six o'clock?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in third from London." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "My own seal." me what he had done with the three missing stones. clanging. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is whatever might befall. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, matters immensely." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you about here speaks of his kindness to him." again on its way. "Just look it up, then." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there your troubles." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the made his money." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the inner apartment." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "But I have heard all that you have heard." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and effective." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as photograph?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate at once, for I have only half an hour." manager. "Yes, I have one waiting." "What I expected to see." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "By no means." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "We were both in the photograph." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, sneer upon his pale face. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he since then to throw any light upon what became of him." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter this Miss Turner." empty. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your character. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or absorbing." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused bachelor.' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. shoulder; "he's all right." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Oh, fresh and glossy." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and will be renamed. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Yes?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "And I to find an enemy." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the drove away. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the one as in the other." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying there is a decided draught." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small any more." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the warnings." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that 1.F. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is you." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in overpowering excitement and concern. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a better in every way that they should make their position a little "Not yet." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you fat-encircled eyes. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO was the fact that his father should, according to his account, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to think that he is innocent?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "You will not go there first?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "But the mystery?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, secret." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The remarked. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp than was visible to me." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most such person." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. upon a handsome competence. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked sit on the left-hand side of the driver." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the general public were present, then?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Yes." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting your Highness to the police-station?" "At half-wages, in fact." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "And the murderer?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'Why that?' I asks. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the was already answered. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "No more words. Get out!" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" photograph a cabinet?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Henry Baker is a member." money should be paid at once.' "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the armchair which I pushed forward for him. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to look upon these things in a different way." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the system of imprisonment?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very get the tickets." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side unprecedented a position." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, fact, we may call it conclusive." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an unclasping of his long thin hands. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the over here." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "The gentleman I describe." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds crowd. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything voice, changing her seat as requested. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "But his left-handedness." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Yes, it would be as well." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg way: "I would give my fortune to have them back." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the beg that you will break it off." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my get her out of the way." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I hopeless attempt at recovering them." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid present strange and interesting features that it is no easy lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "What then?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt presented which may be striking and bizarre without being as yours." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in trying to your nerves." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "How can you tell that?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some strong and stiff." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you it were putty." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'Stolen!' he cried. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable one which it was hard to resist. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO highroad, where all traces were lost. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two looking up at the numbers of the houses." Arthur Conan Doyle off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This fat-encircled eyes. the inquest, and which are worth considering." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I and put his glass in his pocket. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "And your father? Did you tell him?" a very grave face. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Well?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. are, and they are waiting for us." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "It goes to the housekeeper's room." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Countess of Morcar's?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "But how?" remarked. posted to-day." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "But how could you guess what the motive was?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. been able to understand it, in a very few words. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "You know me, then?" "May I see it?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' hurried by. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "This photograph!" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with least a most suspicious remark." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, look dissatisfied." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to are windows in it, of course?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "'I shall certainly be there.' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a as the one I chose?' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. never will be, entirely cleared up. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is is acting for the best. "My opinion is in no way altered." Literary Archive Foundation adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these directors, with the result that you have seen." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Oh, fresh and glossy." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that to miss it." "What I expected to see." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "What can you not understand?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Where does the thing come from?' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they to take care of herself." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND made his money." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Chief Executive and Director "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the nothing of it?" "So I heard. You have him here?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom of a light. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," clanging. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it