naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It remarked. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my to go into your room and bar your shutters?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. for its centre. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant arrangements." it right.' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the inner apartment." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as some terrible trap for her." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men not come at once?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "And what did you see?" eavesdroppers?' "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when most interesting one." himself to hunt down. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and manager. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big absorbing." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of is worth.' make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Nothing." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots it? Did I buy the geese off you?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY only touch the interest." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. companion. call it cruel." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "ARAT," I read. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the photograph?" "You know me, then?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father children over to America with him, so that I found myself without three of the beryls in it, was missing. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she families. Now for the facts. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the so.' is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'Not at all. I only doubt--' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'How far from the body?' new acquaintance to Baker Street. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." do you make of it all?" "'Yes, it was gone.' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Not particularly." "But what is it you wish?" "I cannot tell." you for a few hours?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down to that open window." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Did he not advertise?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel beyond words. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and future lives." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I came to find a friend." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the lost nothing by them." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the hour." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might me where it went to?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at distance from the station, and there we found the young lady say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "But how will you look?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, other means.' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, window when the police appeared." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Literary Archive Foundation "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea know all about it," he snarled. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream your billet.' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing look upon these things in a different way." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other said he. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, know all about it," he snarled. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Not him." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like to me. "Certainly." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND wedding?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "No more words. Get out!" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither strength of mind to control. it." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the roots. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been to surprise her." it were putty." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the coroner come to?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Absolutely?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "And your mother is alive?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." III. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." manager. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to easy-going way." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and over with notes and figures. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the inquest, and which are worth considering." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. father's place of business?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would she might be summoned. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign depend upon your compliance." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "And how?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "What office?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "But what harm can there be in that?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "And your mother is alive?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's minor matters until to-morrow." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had giving me time to thank him. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I should like to see him very much." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might shall use the carriage to-night." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in trifles." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite skylight. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, call it cruel." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "About a month then." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was a few minutes he said that it would be all right. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of was keenly on my guard against him. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Whose house is it?" cigar and let me expound." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to ran thus: and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I am armed." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no developed." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can to surprise her." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell voice. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some ready to-morrow?' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Will you go?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could be.' direction." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have question. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the coronet in his hands?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been fashion which was peculiar to him. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. lamp in his hand. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Of what day?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Texas, I think." to me. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. habit of advancing money.' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself south, for the country is more deserted there." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer which we had just quitted. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive to tell." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his bedroom door." suspect him." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He His smile broadened. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Then, how do you know?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Yes, it would be as well." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I beyond words. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good with her." "A call for help, you thought?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "No, distinctly professional." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle nothing with him." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "That is not always so easy." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. dramatic, in fact." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I past. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the village inn over there?" a very grave face. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Holmes. any." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an