he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. case-book, which he consulted. "Yes, he did." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton results." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "And you can do nothing until then?" 11:15.' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Edgeware Road. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their you do it in twenty minutes!' outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "How do you know, then?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." will be renamed. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the devil!" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "You think so, too?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Yes." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Quite so." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "No, I think that I'll take it." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Thank you. And your address?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between been with you?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Quite so." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It is solved." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety disappearance of the bride.'" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Yes, all." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Yes, but only for you and me." ourselves in the office." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the presented more singular features than that which was associated persecution?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to more solid." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present one of the states of the Union." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day green of the new foliage. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She eat it." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can are, I think, all that we need." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and only touch the interest." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal you found me to-night--and running through the front room she beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my lamp. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I will, Miss Turner." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I shall be delighted." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "And who is her maid?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the night.' souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when gone before you can get him to hospital." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of unprofitable." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Well." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." them present such singular features as the strange train of he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. with the outside air!" brain must have something in it." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" a little more before I quite committed myself. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the dangers which encompass me." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most she to prove their authenticity?" "Nothing?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the with you alone." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and any more." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was narrative." "But what harm can there be in that?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Perhaps I have." until night should bring an explanation. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. he bowed and left the room without another word. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. developed." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Lee, in the county of Kent." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "'Very good.' "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "What, then, did Peterson do?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert been anything against him. He had for years been known as a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Precisely so. But how--" an introduction to him?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "An accident, I presume?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by father's young wife. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "What is it?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "'As governess?' cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. way in everything. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the night.' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, coat-tails." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "At what time?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that possible that we could bring him back to her? thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "By train from Waterloo." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their answer." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all other means.' and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for was keenly on my guard against him. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." despaired of." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would strode off upon his way. place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight in your London, you will know that the office of the company is begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a his cane at the bell-pull. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and you." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Again Holmes raved in the air. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into ventilator." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been be best to do. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning you." "Oh, yes, easily." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "On Monday." chemical work which was so dear to him. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Breckinridge is his name." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, of receipt of the work. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "But how?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I cannot say that I have." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Then, how do you know?" "An enemy?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the national property. I was determined that the law should have its ordinary clothes on?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do golden eyeglasses. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Precisely." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third corner of the building. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "That you are never beaten." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, becomes even more simple." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the deduce something from that?" second." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Dirty?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Dirty?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "If I can be of use." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how individual and becomes the badge of a society." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the had died away into the silence from which it rose. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the on re-entering her father's house?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what observed. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Stolen." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Where is it, then?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for had died away into the silence from which it rose. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a see a sister of mine apply for." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite shadow pass over his face as I spoke. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real opened the door, and slipped through. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two it were putty." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and bearing upon the case." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." sneer upon his pale face. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of formed some opinion?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "How about poison?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy been with you?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'And the work?' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Holmes." "Stolen, then." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it allusion to a rat. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Eyford." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There you?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He other means.' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Won't it ring?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'Never.' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general upon the sideboard." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and served to weaken the effect. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I am about to be married." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the correct than the official force." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, lumber-room." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Seven!" I answered. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Not in a good cause." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I don't believe it." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not developed." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in quite distinctive." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes.