"I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between nothing with him." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a noting anything else of interest. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Dr. Gregory B. Newby but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. did not hear it also.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'It is locked up,' I answered. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any his fortune, and I went back to pa. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." galvanised. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Yes." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it shall use the carriage to-night." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "But what harm can there be in that?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was some city in a dream. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day and no precautions can guard against." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "He might." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a lumber-room." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was detective. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. have got?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "You don't mind breaking the law?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' I held the little printed slip to the light. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very your most interesting statement." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was of campaign. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "That also I could fathom." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from giving me time to thank him. "The knees of his trousers." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine goes." was shining brightly. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her me, and I could not think that his explanation of the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan this remarkable episode. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "It is a murder, then?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." detained." to-morrow." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and assist you in forming an opinion." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the south-west, I see." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs several quiet little villages up there." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view had picked up in the wood. "But who is he?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you is four-and-twenty." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. IS elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of status with the IRS. very morning of my second wedding." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, photograph a cabinet?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the morning." whole matter to your consideration." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "It is a murder, then?" comes from the middle window." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'Certainly not. But why?' of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'In my own bureau.' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Who was the criminal, then?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Yes, certainly." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious said he. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to cigars in the box." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "No, I am descending." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' you." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly arrangements." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which crime. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "An accident, I presume?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside one's self under obligations.' these bleak autumnal evenings." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their light and attacked it." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of crime." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest back into the street. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "That's no good." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used awkward doing business with an alias." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "You have carte blanche." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I was sure that I might rely on you." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the tragedy. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "What then?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a some terrible trap for her." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had on in his house." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the wanted for ourselves." them present such singular features as the strange train of reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the coronet in his hands?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "10th. John Swain cleared. client, rising. "But his lameness?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his have had none more fantastic than this." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. if I call to-morrow?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and served to weaken the effect. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I will get her to show me." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at observed. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his my friend's incisive reasoning. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office him!" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid you want, then?' "Of what day?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, late." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: cheerful." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." you." the so-precious time, but come!' us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Doctor, of the paper and the date." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera with her." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the yet." "Not him." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to breakfast?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old begun to whiten, even as mine has." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "And you don't know his address?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." companion imperturbably. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" outbreak?" spark where all is dark to me." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Breckinridge is his name." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Entirely." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'Where could I find him?' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into to that open window." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of might have a private word with us. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Will you bet, then?" "You horrify me!" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "To the police?" only touch the interest." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'And the work?' "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were matters immensely." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed wanted for ourselves." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Breckinridge is his name." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "In San Francisco, a year ago." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This as the one I chose?' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The better in every way that they should make their position a little "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "How did you deduce the select?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped in him." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "You have carte blanche." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "But what is it you wish?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Where, then?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "You are all wrong." "I fear not." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough sentimental considerations in the background which would induce looking up at the numbers of the houses." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the would apply.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the good for you to do.' or in danger--" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't individual and becomes the badge of a society." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. hopeless attempt at recovering them." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Yes. He waved his hands." "That is unusual in a young girl." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely guilty parties." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could pictures, libraries, or plate. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included