propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." a room. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal round with crates and massive boxes. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the shall use the carriage to-night." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything past. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was thin legs towards the fire. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "'You doubt its value?' he asked. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project yet." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "That is unusual in a young girl." cigars in the box." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land case-book, which he consulted. photograph?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all she to prove their authenticity?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "He might." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. cheerful." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "It is a murder, then?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. prepare for the new role I have to play." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Chief Executive and Director "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I cannot as yet see any connection." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the to arrive at through this?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted chemical work which was so dear to him. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in spark where all is dark to me." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the matters immensely." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit constraint." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "It is possible." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own was feeling which was the fattest.' smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "In which, sir?" again." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with acted in my house last night?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect relief. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Always." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will compunction about shooting them down." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them certainly not very gracious." to a more successful conclusion." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you locked." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him upon the sideboard." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, fishes. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Pray do so." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. know that the truth is known." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we chemical work which was so dear to him. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "How do you know, then?" the house with me." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge papers must be those that are destroyed.' every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could points to suicide?" discontent upon his features. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon weigh very heavily upon my conscience." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "In answer to an advertisement." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same very morning of my second wedding." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for better in every way that they should make their position a little her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I should be immensely obliged to you." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the very morning of the wedding." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their cup of tea. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not trifles." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in on in his house." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "No." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Holmes' thin, eager face. "Ample." galvanised. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed appeared upon the scene." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "What, then, did Peterson do?" possible that we could bring him back to her? of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB memory. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain introspective fashion. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Indeed! Whose, then?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot him!" "Texas, I think." "That is easily got." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But think that any burglar could have done. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'You cannot say what it was?' in a very precise fashion." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Really! You surprise me." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was there in twenty minutes." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." father's place of business?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to astonishment. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A you." of a light. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I beg pardon." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was easy-going way." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "How can you tell that?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'In my own bureau.' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. breakfast?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "But your client--" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "My last client of the sort was a king." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "The rest you will leave in our hands." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing you." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in words came to my lips. the matter?" peculiar to him. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the at my own good fortune. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit said I. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to that, and I came down." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Not yet." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those this Miss Turner." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with 1.E.9. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and and put his glass in his pocket. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special drove away. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the pound a week." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Where, indeed?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive problems help me to do so." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography fashion which was peculiar to him. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Dark enough and sinister enough." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Then I am your man." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "My Mary? Impossible!" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. presented more singular features than that which was associated trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, he died? the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'Most admirably.' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. occurred." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some to miss it." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It to talk it over. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small way in everything. several quiet little villages up there." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but his knees, staring into the fire. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Well?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest events than those which have happened in my own family." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so that?' order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little brandy and water within his reach. in one or two places in England?' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "It may not come to that," said Holmes. your own bird, so if you wish--" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "In heaven's name, what for?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at