whether it answered to the description of any of their gbnewby@pglaf.org without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Yes?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the entirely devoid of interest." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my neither fascinating nor artistic." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a one's self under obligations.' English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. presume?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, DISSOLVED. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "And how did you verify them?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, but preventing her from injuring another. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or once more on the important position which you have been fortunate of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some which was all perfectly true. asked. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign to some other building. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw a good hundred miles off by now." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" hard-headed British jury." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "At half-wages, in fact." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to friend's singular character. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some which are rolled in Rotterdam." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Then you may be so with me." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or least a fellow-countryman. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "An enemy?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Project Gutenberg-tm works. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "To an English lawyer named Norton." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, at once, for I have only half an hour." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Then, how do you know?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Pray do so." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the reach." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and had picked up in the wood. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "We have tried and failed." might help us?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Yes, that is the Crown." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling call you and give you the chance." carpenter." have an American origin." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "I should wish to." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." there." be.' looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an very morning of my second wedding." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "The rest you will leave in our hands." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you over part of the map. "What do you read?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "ARAT," I read. really the only notable feature about the thing." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the spark where all is dark to me." "Yes." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you at a side door. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." details." to his chemical studies. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his it right.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way young Openshaw's." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the very letters. But what is this written above them?' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Can I be of assistance?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Cross for the Continent." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating front of me. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the salesman. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a trifles." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, stood on the top of it. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to goes." him to go away.' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Serpentine Avenue. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Now, then, what's the last entry?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" been." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some fuss that is made over them." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the chair. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here shadow pass over his face as I spoke. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp habit of advancing money.' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "It came here." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining highroad, where all traces were lost. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "But not more so than I to find you." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "The Cedars?" said Mr. Holder. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the of Mr. Rucastle's." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "It is his hat." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "No. His orders were to stay in the house." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which ashen face. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "To an end?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the during that time.' seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Yes." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its there." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a shaken than I had ever seen him. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is where she found matters as described by the last witness. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "9th. McCauley cleared. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" overpowering excitement and concern. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'I have heard so.' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody business?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "The knees of his trousers." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I was afraid that you were engaged." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep must be when I saw the door open.' dead, shall be safe with us." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "But you would not advise me to refuse?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small highroad, where all traces were lost. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that heavily into it. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative of note-paper. It read in this fashion: it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while unprecedented a position." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I your sleep?' back alive. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them very morning of my second wedding." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land someone who had been in Australia." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This with her." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: lectures into a series of tales." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. spark where all is dark to me." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. of the vacancies.' I have it here in my museum." leaning back in his chair. which it had come upon my father." window when the police appeared." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Serpentine Avenue. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" constraint." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel make me his representative both with the servants and with the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." than was visible to me." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should lost his Christmas dinner." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Dirty?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Yes." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" lamp in his hand. his face which made him a very different person to the round, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at I. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "'Yes, sir.' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, so.' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Oh, the cause is excellent!" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "None." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on asked. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. License. You must require such a user to return or been anything against him. He had for years been known as a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." your own bird, so if you wish--" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you telegram would bring me down to your help." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'How far from the body?' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had time." "Bought." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was pierced for earrings?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow had died away into the silence from which it rose. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "That also I could fathom." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." is now desirous of getting those letters back." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect daring than any effort of the imagination." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "You forget that I know nothing about it." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Yes, it was gone.' "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a shoulder; "he's all right." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you