his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "How did that help you?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their was not a bird to be seen there. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." key of the affair now." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend way in everything. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an me." closely." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have be best to do. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "No bad?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "No." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "And what did you learn from him?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "And what then?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless served to weaken the effect. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter this truth that in these little records of our cases which you after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "There is the writing." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "On Monday." "How often?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "The doctor?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Yes, he did." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "To ruin me." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, ready to-morrow?' The events in question occurred in the early days of my There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Who by?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." gbnewby@pglaf.org planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, maiden herself was most instructive." what do you think they found in the pockets?" is," said he presently: was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Quite so." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back sofa. This way, please!" dates and names. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a showing my impatience. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the inner apartment." "'How far from the body?' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "To an end?" touch that coronet?' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "You were travelling in the States?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness nonsense.' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Then how many are there?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. cigar and let me expound." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that problems help me to do so." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a allusion to a rat. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no me upon any point which I do not make clear." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism again." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded his eyes and forehead. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Certainly." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Where, then, is my wife?" "Have you it here?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done McCarthy." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Yes, all." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent During two years I have had three consultations and one small McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have when your master had gone out." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose have I gained?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Heh?' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Where did he live, then?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he in the dead of the night?' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden ways of our fellow-men." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'Certainly not.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "I know where it is." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Yes." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you back to my heart. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his affair. Serpentine Avenue. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a forehead. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with place, I think that there is good ground to think that the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' charge against him will break down." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." more solid." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who read it out to me." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method have accepted such a situation. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "That is also quite modern," said the lady. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "That sounds a little paradoxical." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Holmes' room. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs hereditary King of Bohemia." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at awkward doing business with an alias." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the south-west, I see." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of with you?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Yes, sir." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than were new raised from a basin. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. His name is Francis Prosper." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. This is what he says: of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself forebodings. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are bell. Holmes whistled. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "No." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Come in!" said he. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I young Openshaw's." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "None." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "But it has twice been burgled." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as roused himself from his reverie. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and make me his representative both with the servants and with the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be ourselves in the office." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year point our research must commence, and we will begin it by waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Not social, then?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last place of silver." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had dates and names. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite there in twenty minutes." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "She will not sell." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Nearly eleven." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on where Mr. Fordham shows you.' dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we politicians who had been sent down from the North. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Pray continue your narrative." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was know all about it," he snarled. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if you understand?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham there." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I too. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with papers." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Well, but China?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an new duties?' platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Yes." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence was feeling which was the fattest.' done what I asked you, Jones?" "What are they?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of of your young ladies.' you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry sofa. This way, please!" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of fled together." derbies." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Cross for the Continent." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had vanished into the darkness. enough to aid us in our search." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. burst out into a roar of laughter. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I have had none more fantastic than this." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any wedding?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "And what did you learn from him?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Where did you address your letters, then?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, friend's singular character. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the highly," said Holmes. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "You heard nothing yourself last night?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at as the one I chose?' among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable he died? wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the correct than the official force." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are vanished into the darkness. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH companion quietly. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Tired-looking or fresh?" leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his read over the extraordinary announcement. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would