rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten bird of prey. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And I say east," said my patient. recover the gem." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical certainly not very gracious." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they a few minutes he said that it would be all right. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more his wife has ceased to love him." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Imitated." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the least a fellow-countryman. that you saw all that I did." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "You horrify me!" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the coronet at all injured?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the matter?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with you?' Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without wedding?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to miss it." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are seem to you to be relevant or not." and a shock of very red hair. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "You are hungry," I remarked. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I shall use the carriage to-night." maid will bring up your coffee." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which written. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with companion. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I cannot tell." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "None." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of place of silver." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow affection." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he was shining brightly. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "That sounds a little paradoxical." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the one as in the other." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. said I. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "No." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "But you were on a friendly footing?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "What, then?" "'I shall certainly be there.' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and closely." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." the night.' had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had some city in a dream. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Where is it, then?" future lives." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' what is your own theory as to what took place?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has wall." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, from the brougham. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. business in the City. She little knew what. whether it answered to the description of any of their gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Literary Archive Foundation open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Sutherland. Doctor, of the paper and the date." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the union?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. tear off another piece?' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the bed, and you in that chair." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "I should like to see him very much." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." husband's writing, madam." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to exactly what you advise." "'Ten to two.' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has there when the Rucastles went away." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "And did you observe any change in her then?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of ashen face. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Pray continue your narrative." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. or other trace. But how on earth--" questioning and rather startled gaze. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Tired-looking or fresh?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very narrative." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and quite distinctive." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on always that they were such commands as a lady might with "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken have got?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found that before taking the final step I should like to submit the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'I have heard so.' her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his national property. I was determined that the law should have its the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the chamber." "But his left-handedness." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good writer." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the general public were present, then?" "BALLARAT." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Pope's Court. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of get the tickets." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and one of the states of the Union." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Certainly." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon constraint." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, it were putty." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are appeared upon the scene." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "And why?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for think that he is innocent?" "I promise," said Holmes. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which lost nothing by them." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the on re-entering her father's house?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "I have come for advice." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked habit of advancing money.' lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a this man was intellectual?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Yes." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the so-precious time, but come!' John Swain, of St. Augustine. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, looking up at the numbers of the houses." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when there were so many in the whole country as were brought together information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a of." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Seven!" I answered. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me me have 200 pounds?' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Of Friday, June 19th." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Then I shall certainly come." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "May I see it?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Yes, all." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the south-west, I see." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the carpenter." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Foundation "None. Neville wrote those words." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I should be immensely obliged to you." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine wedding?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those anything to do with the matter?" "The landlord of the Alpha." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who in his power. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend 'I should be able to look after that for you.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Ample." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Munro.' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary 'I should be able to look after that for you.' walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. easy-going way." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could done what I asked you, Jones?" "Absolutely none." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. joking. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, answered with a sidelong glance. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that ways including including checks, online payments and credit card hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "What?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a both be extremely obliged.' "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "That was it, sir." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" late." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as held up the lantern and gazed about him. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black ceremony." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Not yet." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled to have that photograph." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Farm upon the left." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over matters immensely." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "You are certainly joking, Holmes." had this final quarrel? to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on straightened it out again. village inn over there?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Tired-looking or fresh?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the own family. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. her also." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Never to return." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "But you were on a friendly footing?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. delighted to hear it," he said. "But how will you look?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two