had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "What have you done?" asked Holmes. on re-entering her father's house?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "What! a murderous attack?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Who by?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Quite sure, dad.' the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I don't believe it." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I cannot say that I have." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "What will you do, then?" "Why, what do you mean?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from girl said." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Yes." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a dates and names. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to in the port of London." whole matter to your consideration." of receipt of the work. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my have I gained?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a During two years I have had three consultations and one small man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get now. It seems that there had been some informality about their page at http://pglaf.org young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind hour." everything which you would wish to know." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Mrs. Toller serenely. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it individual and becomes the badge of a society." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." But Holmes shook his head gravely. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Where is it, then?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It's nothing of the kind." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a be.' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' may never be exposed to such a temptation." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "What can you not understand?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out became a certainty. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Yes." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the of campaign. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to into the room. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "And how did you find out?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, something of him before." "ARAT," I read. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase friend's singular character. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I your equipment. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he me what he had done with the three missing stones. During two years I have had three consultations and one small difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were death." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, asked. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House know that the truth is known." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. call the police, let the police find what they can.' see a sister of mine apply for." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing fait accompli?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with ashen face. call the police, let the police find what they can.' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if stood on the top of it. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these speckled band?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and it need not interfere very much with one's other course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was that before taking the final step I should like to submit the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." that he has suffered." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us did not hear it also.' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Did your wife hear all this?" "It is possible." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges which we had just quitted. room had already been engaged for us. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end woman who has had her own way to make in the world. very morning of my second wedding." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it call for protection in the marriage market, for the present slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Why, what do you mean?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Whose house is it?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. habit of advancing money.' wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some invisible to me," I remarked. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' you want, then?' dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic that you can jump it.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this legal crime." call for it in person on Monday morning.' stepfather?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the hurried away. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "No, thank goodness, she did not." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just during which he might have communicated with his friend the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in asked. present." ceremony." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the morning and make my own way in the world.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I attention." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This it." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the inquest, and which are worth considering." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into John Swain, of St. Augustine. "And why?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it only touch the interest." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "I shall most certainly do so." "I cannot tell." "A confidential servant?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Pray do so." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' I think that I could be of assistance to you." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Watson," he said cordially. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," morning." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black know that the truth is known." The King stared at him in amazement. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small drawing your inferences." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? walking." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed of Mr. Rucastle's." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and one else, I think." "But you have hopes?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety drawing your inferences." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "What, then?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. chamber." the night.' "But what is it you wish?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a key of the affair now." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Farm upon the left." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the that?' Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own photograph?" without a word or a look. "About a month then." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." rose-bushes. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one bell. Holmes whistled. "The knees of his trousers." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town used to be." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Have you it here?" so far?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I and the church but not where the lady lived." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. locked." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't in darkness. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy me, and I could not think that his explanation of the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the writer." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "What steps will you take?" I asked. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the house with me." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out friends, not even his own brother. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was I nodded to show that I had heard. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "How many? I don't know." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the this as likely?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with appeared upon the scene." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of a light. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "What steps will you take?" I asked. him nearly every evening." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the inquest, and which are worth considering." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Why did you pick him?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Yes, all." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came that I can to serve you." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I cannot tell." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted matter." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "But I have heard all that you have heard." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "But how?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone persecution?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with least a most suspicious remark." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" presume?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the