"He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to long narrative. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "I have solved it." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and comes from the middle window." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "How can you tell that?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "The murder was done with it." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Precisely so. But how--" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'I have already given you my word.' you." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'Not at all. I only doubt--' alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It's nothing of the kind." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "What!" he roared. went to the Alpha were town bred." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled and a shock of very red hair. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the address that was given us in the advertisement. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Never." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than overpowering excitement and concern. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains way in everything. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I name is different." "Ten will be early enough." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "And when will you call?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I of." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." awkward doing business with an alias." "It came here." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms them?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled just called myself is not exactly my own." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Where to?" IS all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly empty. back alive. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another vanished into the darkness. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it have had none more fantastic than this." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a behind me. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Street. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. to arrive at through this?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'What, the red-headed man?' He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the this as likely?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT a good hundred miles off by now." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the up this clue while it is still hot." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "So I heard. You have him here?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! evidence," I remarked. and effective." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a noting anything else of interest. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found stepfather?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "May I see it?" could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us everything which you would wish to know." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I am to be neutral?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family attention." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. a monotonous occupation." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is more terrible than the truth. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Certainly." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm nonsense.' house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will a good hundred miles off by now." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I am to be neutral?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." to a light-house. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old dramatic, in fact." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are of the way of danger. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his which we had just quitted. works. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "And now?" He raised his hand. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Yes." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "But what will you do?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together such attractions and accomplishments?' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I am about to be married." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving eat it." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the unkempt, staring out at me. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than which are rolled in Rotterdam." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "It looks newer than the other things?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "ARAT," I read. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the bed, and you in that chair." unprecedented a position." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' to take care of herself." wedding?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the side-table." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Have you good authority for what you say?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his brain must have something in it." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue father's young wife. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush locked. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Holmes rather sternly. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'About the same.' ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six will not take me long to tell. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told me. You must get home instantly and act." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." companion. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the indeed which he could not unravel. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if your most interesting statement." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. grasp, he hurried from the room. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "My stepfather's business papers." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Yes." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, could not have written that. It is the German who is so give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from quickly through a disagreeable task. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Eyford." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Why serious?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Look there!" said he. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, clang of the bell. out of this horrible affair." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which window when the police appeared." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I would give my fortune to have them back." "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Stolen." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Sutherland. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "But the mystery?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm direction." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not least a most suspicious remark." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." to-morrow." imbecility!" he cried. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the new acquaintance to Baker Street. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, system of imprisonment?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of three fields round his house, and there he would take his the south-west, I see." hardly wander." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the correct than the official force." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "He is still with you, I presume?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us hurried away. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "How did he come?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I shall communicate with you." during that time.' waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "No." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. wanted for ourselves." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon back to my heart. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in ways of our fellow-men." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "No, I had a dozen." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. thirty. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows there." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "She told me to ask you." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his wife has ceased to love him." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since to-morrow." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my been with you?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head dear old homesteads?"