"Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has breakfast?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were straightened it out again. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Leadenhall Street--and--" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready weary and pale-looking. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped been." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever ready to-morrow?' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in completely overtopped every other consideration that we both about here speaks of his kindness to him." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? to-morrow." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without at my own good fortune. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Deserted you?" tension within him. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and lost his Christmas dinner." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'As governess?' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet to miss it." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate lamp. "Yes, sir." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some him, that man would not have given me such complete information mystery!" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE meanly of me." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in beg that you will break it off." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless events than those which have happened in my own family." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at important." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "There is the writing." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "No legal papers or certificates?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and have this put in the evening papers." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Stoke Moran." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "One of the highest in England." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his always that they were such commands as a lady might with places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap confronted him. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official examination of the premises, but without finding anything which more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid to his chemical studies. "But we can't all be." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. You want to know what became of those geese?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say himself to hunt down. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which already referred to. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I am to be neutral?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "No." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of nonsense.' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was are, and they are waiting for us." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the carriage. It was a chestnut." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." shall not find me ungrateful." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, rooms." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "In what way?" asked Holmes. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I will not look." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Holmes' room. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "And I say east," said my patient. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "'Certainly not.' his huge brown hands. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and certainly not very gracious." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Of what?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull intrusion of other matters." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Perhaps we may make them less so." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and papers on the sundial.'" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' individual and becomes the badge of a society." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too interest. They are important, you understand, without being "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried DAMAGE. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question but preventing her from injuring another. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the returned to France?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love entirely devoid of interest." mystery." other lovers by making love himself." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "None." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into any more." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with morning." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away assist you in forming an opinion." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. are, and they are waiting for us." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "And you can do nothing until then?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room question. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. the very morning of the wedding." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with against a man in the prime of life?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "And who is her maid?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, what these perils are?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon characteristics, but those are the more obvious." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to place, I think that there is good ground to think that the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Yes, all." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it that I can to serve you." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. tied." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, John Swain, of St. Augustine. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her think that he is innocent?" "Yes. He waved his hands." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "The gentleman I describe." green of the new foliage. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "We must sit without light. He would see it through the you want, then?' looking up at the numbers of the houses." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'Stolen!' he cried. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his http://gutenberg.net/license). firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that flock.' had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some remarked. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. once more for Briony Lodge. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. nothing with him." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, hereditary King of Bohemia." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. which we had just quitted. that you wished to speak to me?' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, to have been novel and of interest." "We were both in the photograph." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the lumber-room." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I see no marks." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "What, then, did Peterson do?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "That sounds a little paradoxical." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich to arrive at through this?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, hurried by. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can any." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Why, what do you mean?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is My friend smiled. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she depend upon my doing so.' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "You have carte blanche." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the stable lane now." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Yes, it would be as well." "Of Friday, June 19th." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, entirely devoid of interest." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'What, the red-headed man?' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Very. But will he see it?" than was visible to me." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Perhaps we may make them less so." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Will you go?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "One of the highest in England." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible way: The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up in the port of London." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He to his chemical studies. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where certainly do as you advise." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the bedroom door." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." such attractions and accomplishments?' "But how did you gain them?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, one of them." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main weigh very heavily upon my conscience." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. knowledge of the world." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes bird of prey. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever again on its way. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies weary and pale-looking. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the I have it here in my museum." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told my friend's incisive reasoning. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "'In my own bureau.' "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I will not look." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying as this. Pray let me have the details." six. Come in!" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." already been minutely examined." "Game for a morning drive?"