up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to as this. Pray let me have the details." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" of." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "It is true that I have been generally successful." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project girl said." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' possible that we could bring him back to her? guilty one." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and least a fellow-countryman. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own go back?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'Why that?' I asks. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged your troubles." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United have accepted such a situation. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your that you saw all that I did." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a for and were ordered to this address. new acquaintance to Baker Street. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that in my life." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "And your father? Did you tell him?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was and looked back. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "She told me to ask you." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he with some details as to your case." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not down from London to inquire more deeply into it." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Sutherland?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense have not had my rubber." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down questionable one." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "The Cedars?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were of a light. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Were they all fastened this morning?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy in this way: About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was directors, with the result that you have seen." with you?" child?' "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." became a certainty. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "'You cannot say what it was?' leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this considering the formidable letters which were received by himself he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said place no limit on the sum I may draw." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without tail." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society to-night's adventure." "What then?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back and looked back. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as is worth.' in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And you can do nothing until then?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Very much so." "'Yes.' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me points to suicide?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that most interesting one." villagers almost as much as their master. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Never." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of in my life." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "But we can't all be." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two case-book, which he consulted. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Yes." "How on earth--" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Well." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of depend upon your compliance." this as likely?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in so far?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the iron safe, which he closed upon it. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in you want, then?' skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all his grey eyes. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Won't it ring?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have you." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in one or two very singular points about this room. For example, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, his face which made him a very different person to the round, "What is it?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some pity, because in other respects you would really have done very with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his unprofitable." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Count Von Kramm." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it wedding?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "And Irene Adler?" "Entirely." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "From his hat?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I have hopes." already referred to. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from at a side door. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be heavy and sharp instrument." observed. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so and it need not interfere very much with one's other trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands hereditary King of Bohemia." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'Where could I find him?' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "The King of Scandinavia." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all records." you want, then?' forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most ran thus: jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is to have been novel and of interest." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I awaited us upon the table. telegram would bring me down to your help." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has nonsense.' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" himself to tell his story. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his served to weaken the effect. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'Certainly,' I answered. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on address. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "It is no ordinary one." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "It is half-past ten now." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any read it out to me." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "What of the rat, then?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, least a fellow-countryman. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need you found me to-night--and running through the front room she same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical weapon." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm there when the Rucastles went away." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "But you have hopes?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Yes, I have one waiting." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and point in the dark hollow of his hand. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been any little problem which you may submit to me." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon acquaintance?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB green of the new foliage. of a light. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that throat." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will upon the sideboard." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "And what then?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no remarked. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check right! Sit down and let us talk it over." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will question you as to those details which seem to me to be most A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. for and were ordered to this address. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "And sit in the dark?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Then, as to money?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." off." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have will not take me long to tell. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which had a long day." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously chemical work which was so dear to him. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a golden eyeglasses. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, are windows in it, of course?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of morning." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I should like to see him very much." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to yards of it?' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since and a shock of very red hair. "You don't mind breaking the law?" anything to do with the matter?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "From his hat?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "About a month then." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Doctor, of the paper and the date." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you brandy and water within his reach. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. politicians who had been sent down from the North. occurred." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I for securing the situation." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to people don't know." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it bedroom door." will be renamed. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had examine." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "A thing like a cleaver," said he. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly over with notes and figures. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of in his hands." was the fact that his father should, according to his account,