villagers almost as much as their master. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up a monotonous occupation." "The knees of his trousers." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The signal between you and your father? pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went writers could invent nothing more crude." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Then I do not see the point." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth keep the flames under. really the only notable feature about the thing." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day eat it." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his affection." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "What is it?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Where did you address your letters, then?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret question. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for this as likely?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I am following you closely," I answered. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy records." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. once more to my work. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Well?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been seven miles from Eyford Station.' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, photograph a cabinet?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "And it is--" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "None." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Again Holmes raved in the air. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. exactly what you advise." would apply.' all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "The Coroner: What do you mean? prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very if I call to-morrow?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "She told me to ask you." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "That's no good." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'No, I know no one in these parts.' occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "No. His orders were to stay in the house." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'Quite sure, dad.' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the south, for the country is more deserted there." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was know that the truth is known." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three green of the new foliage. within hail.' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of business matters.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. him." mysterious business." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I lamp in his hand. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Mary, has deserted me." be sorry for having acted so harshly." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were became a certainty. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to gigantic client. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and likely to be some crony of the landlady's." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to photograph a cabinet?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" ways of our fellow-men." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to there in twenty minutes." throat." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'Entirely.' as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Where does the thing come from?' enter into my head. key turn in the lock." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Yes, I have one waiting." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was do." "That was it, sir." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how together. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "This photograph!" been deceived." Eyford." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting bird I ate is country bred." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I will not look." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Perhaps I have." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly at my own good fortune. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Never." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to occupations.' that I can to serve you." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having know that the truth is known." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a was already answered. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was he bowed and left the room without another word. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." pierced for earrings?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 back into the street. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of was a loud and authoritative tap. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little tied." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I back alive. cost them two and thirty pounds." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the tragedy. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'It is locked up,' I answered. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." do." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the nursery. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a fled together." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong spare." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. business." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other You can understand that this register and diary may implicate blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we have not had my rubber." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and obstinate." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat death." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage entirely devoid of interest." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and occupations.' "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "In the cells." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was him!" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The never to learn it at all." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB nothing with him." system of imprisonment?" of Mr. Rucastle's." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off weigh very heavily upon my conscience." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'Why that?' I asks. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered this as likely?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "You have the photograph?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" answer." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "But what will you do?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "And now?" I asked. is worth.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I him." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices me what he had done with the three missing stones. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet you in your example." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "It is to him that this trophy belongs." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I am following you closely," I answered. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir was used.' business." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" both be extremely obliged.' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences were wasted." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," them present such singular features as the strange train of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "None. Neville wrote those words." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "That is also quite modern," said the lady. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we hands. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them bill, which interests me deeply." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Countess of Morcar's?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get business in the City. She little knew what. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "A confidential servant?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to have one." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment business came to an end." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of over with notes and figures. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "And why in hopes?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Entirely." your only hope of safety." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The will be renamed. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as papers on the sundial.'" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle nothing of it?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, until night should bring an explanation. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it most interesting one." you." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, most interesting one." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the house for five minutes.' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to know that the truth is known." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the dangers which encompass me." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "9th. McCauley cleared. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "He said too much." Leadenhall Street--and--" What do you deduce from it?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'It is locked up,' I answered. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still