Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only were wasted." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "That is possible." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I am sure." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the dangers which encompass me." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "It's nothing of the kind." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," than was visible to me." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Witness: It was. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out in a very precise fashion." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "To an end?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Sutherland?" "None." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch prisoner's face. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at means taking possession of that which another person has a prior few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this ourselves in the office." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural all that?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Countess of Morcar's?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Where did you address your letters, then?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some this truth that in these little records of our cases which you effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against thin legs towards the fire. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I secret." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "And I to find an enemy." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that any more." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'Not at all. I only doubt--' cost them two and thirty pounds." laugh and put his lips to my ear. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't fishes. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Well, some hundreds of times." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to me." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same dead, shall be safe with us." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, constraint." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "No, my brougham is waiting." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such matters immensely." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. it with his own hands." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that there when the Rucastles went away." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Why, what do you mean?" chance." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "One of his hands." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that meanly of me." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Yes, all." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I redistribution. been with you?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the child." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot lectures into a series of tales." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through ventilator." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a thirty. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Yes, he did." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 girl said." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "My dear Holmes!" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and I have it here in my museum." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. way: "A confidential servant?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, retorted upon me, and I on you." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "And Irene Adler?" have got?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent to you." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. what do you think they found in the pockets?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the house with me." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Never." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and developed." your equipment. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'What, the red-headed man?' events, Mr. Windibank!" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded way in everything. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "And did you observe any change in her then?" where we are going." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, heavy and sharp instrument." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself never will be, entirely cleared up. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both true." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His shall use the carriage to-night." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the wall." it means?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is have had none more fantastic than this." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "My own seal." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." people in all walks of life. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, some city in a dream. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "No good news?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told narrative." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the in a friendly supper." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Married! When?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "And your mother is alive?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." could gather together that I was able to avert another public for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in keep the flames under. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, dear old homesteads?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Never to return." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink note?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "It is a murder, then?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "About a month then." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Street. "It came here." you came in." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "You will not go there first?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Surrey." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner that he will be back before evening." ashen face. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain bachelor.' as this. Pray let me have the details." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, asked with his eyes open. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is he died? and inquire as to the address." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried manager. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just in the dead of the night?' "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Where, then?" matter over." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Texas, I think." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the tapping his fingers upon the table. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand events than those which have happened in my own family." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "What have you to say now?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry yet." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "And how did he make his money?" "What! a murderous attack?" have got?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry definite end. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "No." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. better in every way that they should make their position a little WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a tension within him. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "What! a murderous attack?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very I shall communicate with you." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must narrative." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, that there was nothing in it, after all." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle hands. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Your presence might be invaluable." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'And what salary do you ask?' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without beyond words. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a other lovers by making love himself." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was flock.' clang of the bell. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "You are all wrong." returned to France?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." that threaten you." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very nothing of it?" of your young ladies.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge depend upon your compliance." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "In San Francisco, a year ago." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I empty. depend upon your compliance." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. nice household for a young lady." so.' immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Pray do so." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four