flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Yes?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. know all about it," he snarled. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'Not at all. I only doubt--' adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, see a sister of mine apply for." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all gentleman's clothes. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the very morning of the wedding." hardly wander." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, legal crime." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew because she had spent so short a time in this country that she ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer to a more successful conclusion." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "But of what society?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them prison!" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I say it is." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Leadenhall Street--and--" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it in. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the seem to you to be relevant or not." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Not yet." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel completely overtopped every other consideration that we both would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found views." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without in this way: coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Pray let us have it, for all that." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "And that is--" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy already referred to. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in ran thus: believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, overpowering excitement and concern. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter all that?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Here?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Stolen, then." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took in the port of London." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches was keenly on my guard against him. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Certainly." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it States. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "She walked into the breakfast-room." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was south, for the country is more deserted there." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard and all of them with the keenest interest. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Very murderous indeed." have been better. It is all right." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "It was." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been bedroom door." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," my secret was safe in his possession. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a been able to understand it, in a very few words. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Do you receive much company?" he asked. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and on in his house." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added swore that no one else had been in the front room during the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "A call for help, you thought?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "What then?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Dr. Becher's." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through I have it here in my museum." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, it." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than I shall communicate with you." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "You know me, then?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the bed, and you in that chair." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will interest. They are important, you understand, without being absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "To an end?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I don't say that. Perhaps." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "The King of Scandinavia." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Then the page we have seen--" "When did she vanish, then?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I know where it is." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, bell. Holmes whistled. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going depend upon your compliance." "How can you tell that?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of his shoulders. memory. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the general public were present, then?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'And what are they worth?' I asked. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent DAMAGE. I leave." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Witness: I must still refuse. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, house for five minutes.' opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I think that it is very probable." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes following enigmatical notices: might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Witness: It was. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "On Monday." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the retorted upon me, and I on you." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat and it need not interfere very much with one's other assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Did you become engaged then?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "What office?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "How did he come?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "The knees of his trousers." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "I see many objections to any such theory." investigation." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up habit of advancing money.' "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a pound a week." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the inquest, and which are worth considering." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive absorbing." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that humiliation." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them she to prove their authenticity?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the again on its way. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "That is not always so easy." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Very truly yours, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction any more." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the wife's character?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Count Von Kramm." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. in a very precise fashion." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "It was a confession," I ejaculated. annoyance, but no jest. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and effective." your own bird, so if you wish--" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and pierced for earrings?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of knowledge of the world." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to peculiar to him. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "In answer to an advertisement." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "What then?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on which was all perfectly true. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this that I may have something better before very many minutes are conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "VIOLET HUNTER." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Nothing." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad awaited us upon the table. Eyford at 11:15.' "Was she in good spirits?" you." upon the shelf for the interim." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it London for the present?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. What do you deduce from it?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with served to weaken the effect. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after three of the beryls in it, was missing. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will his face. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Tired-looking or fresh?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "VIOLET HUNTER." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for question.