"When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I know that the truth is known." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily bachelor.' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" ourselves in the office." his knees, staring into the fire. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked to tell." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of charged with?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed of them has the shutters up.' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, article?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been occupations.' could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Whose house is it?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told confronted him. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact was keenly on my guard against him. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll that before taking the final step I should like to submit the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Thank you. Pray proceed." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "And Miss Sutherland?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing said he. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the than to us. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I hand, madam?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had fishes. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls key of the affair now." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "A client, then?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "What will you say?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm or in danger--" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined mystery." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he not fit the lock." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his I shall communicate with you." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She closely." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "An enemy?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of coroner's jury." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence indeed which he could not unravel. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "But to whom?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when his cane at the bell-pull. his eyes and forehead. but preventing her from injuring another. strode off upon his way. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before said Mr. Holder. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Precisely." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been other lovers by making love himself." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the child." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a goes." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing congratulate you again." outsides of the windows. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Holmes' thin, eager face. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited interested in these little problems, and since you are good adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical gigantic client. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Very murderous indeed." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent points to suicide?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. introspective fashion. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the address that was given us in the advertisement. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. of." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly client, rising. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm in. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of in the dead of the night?' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my said he, "my real name is James Ryder." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Was your sister dressed?" meant it for the best. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "You have it, sir, just as it happened." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or depend upon your compliance." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Yes." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the leave you to your papers for a little." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself front of me. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable nonsense.' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Yes." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. your room." Countess of Morcar's?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the little opening for the ventilator is." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then think you a quite exceptional woman." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, call you and give you the chance." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the experiences." paper in the air. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course overpowering excitement and concern. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. lectures into a series of tales." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him gives a meaning to it." "Witness: I must still refuse. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his little adventures." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any take the flies, but not before." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone room. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some during which he might have communicated with his friend the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a in a very precise fashion." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "But what is it you wish?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she ceremony." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid fire. You quite follow me?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I giving me time to thank him. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and works. back into the street. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I am following you closely," I answered. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up where Mr. Fordham shows you.' The events in question occurred in the early days of my chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "My opinion is in no way altered." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'No, I know no one in these parts.' took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out affair. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us The King stared at him in amazement. affair. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "May I see it?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, there." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without in a friendly supper." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that beg that you will break it off." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front if I call to-morrow?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of such attractions and accomplishments?' returning from some small jollification and was making his way the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine three of the beryls in it, was missing. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Did your wife hear all this?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more bears upon the case?" forbidden door. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "And did you observe any change in her then?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should in the hope of finding them." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of leave you to your papers for a little." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "And how in the world did you find them?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." be sorry for having acted so harshly." or other trace. But how on earth--" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." visitors." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Pray be precise as to details," said he. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I was sure that I might rely on you." happened." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I congenial hunt. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault chamber." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a seen the man in the road." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport persecution?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I chance." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "I would give my fortune to have them back." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "It is no ordinary one." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he secret." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further that "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left strong reason behind." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to business matters.' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I will get her to show me." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my quite distinctive." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "What will you do, then?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not conclusions. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Holmes, the busybody!" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making nothing with him." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I came to find a friend." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to not, dad?" she asked. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, read over the extraordinary announcement. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the