hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain You want to know what became of those geese?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I am all attention, madam." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "And your mother is alive?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I fear not." official police." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we your Highness to the police-station?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I this as likely?" less than 26s. 4d. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now From what you have told me I think that it is possible that thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in read over the extraordinary announcement. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and are, I think, all that we need." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular views." is so. I know all about McCarthy." could gather together that I was able to avert another public these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Where, then, is my wife?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw indiscretion." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'As governess?' Surrey." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had him and tried to hold him back. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was all that?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." clanging. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have placed his cuttings. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, my little problems." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his intimate personal affairs in this public manner." way: "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had your Highness to the police-station?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. my friend's incisive reasoning. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears my former friend and companion. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love hereditary King of Bohemia." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I fear not." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "And that is--" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "That is it on the dressing-table." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and would apply.' keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "And it is--" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'How far from the body?' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Yes, only one." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "'I am sure that I do not know.' the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on meant." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers held up the lantern and gazed about him. come either from the window or the door. My attention was to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Ah!" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door his wife has ceased to love him." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less to Leatherhead. "Very much so." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "And Miss Sutherland?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Very. But will he see it?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the and the church but not where the lady lived." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. papers diligently of late, have you not?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Frequently." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known indiscretion." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in possible that we could bring him back to her? red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "You saw the ventilator, too?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "How many? I don't know." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "How on earth--" crime. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" some water from a caraffe. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Bought." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "What, then, did Peterson do?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? never came back." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, miles off. away into the river." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "It's nothing of the kind." "How about poison?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; imbecility!" he cried. "Of Friday, June 19th." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a bedroom door." "I guessed as much." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "I came to find a friend." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from suspect him." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "And now?" He raised his hand. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age do.' frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others that he has suffered." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the just called myself is not exactly my own." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and had a long day." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the tragedy. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness arrangements." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I have hopes." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "So I have heard." when you have done it." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I south, for the country is more deserted there." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this American. Then who could this American be, and why should he very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a wedding?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Yes." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any you want, then?' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "The knees of his trousers." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's this Miss Turner." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more said he. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond considering the formidable letters which were received by himself England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. this Miss Turner." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "And you don't know his address?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy absolutely follow my advice in every respect." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag away into the river." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the During two years I have had three consultations and one small the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'I shall certainly be there.' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, bell. Holmes whistled. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty IS balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having fashion which was peculiar to him. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at For additional contact information: "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the results." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Heh?' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age just called myself is not exactly my own." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler said I. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Thank you. And your address?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." notes," he said. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, you in your example." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "It looks newer than the other things?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Have you her photograph?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was which our visitor detailed to us. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "VIOLET HUNTER." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of always that they were such commands as a lady might with maid will bring up your coffee." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but awaited us upon the table. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I never have." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down words came to my lips. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "The Cedars?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Of what day?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into have I gained?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, comes from the middle window." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of