this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Then you may be so with me." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He tassel actually lying upon the pillow. six. Come in!" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by me. this unhappy family?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Gutenberg-tm License. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'Is purely nominal.' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with was a perfect sample of the class. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a important." "Absolutely none." "The doctor?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one always that they were such commands as a lady might with upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your possible that we could bring him back to her? nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something room?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread suddenly upon us." "On Monday." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Where did he live, then?" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Always." "What shall I do?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind national property. I was determined that the law should have its and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about not, dad?" she asked. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "But you can know nothing of this?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that were new raised from a basin. "Well?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Cross for the Continent." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of leave you to your papers for a little." in. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was train.' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like during the last few years, and there are many noble families to 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He in a friendly supper." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch upon the sideboard." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what James Windibank. Voilà tout!" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. he bowed and left the room without another word. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." habit of advancing money.' Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without front of me. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the appeared upon the scene." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "No legal papers or certificates?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and possible that we could bring him back to her? the south-west, I see." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "In San Francisco, a year ago." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "It's nothing of the kind." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "And Miss Sutherland?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave lids now and glanced across at his visitor. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the had formerly been in part my own. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." will take you up to see the machine.' doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently hereditary King of Bohemia." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the King without delay." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have compunction about shooting them down." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, what I may call a really hard day's work." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Murdered?" clanging. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Yes, they were peculiar boots." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of them has the shutters up.' run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Count Von Kramm." me have 200 pounds?' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young was not a bird to be seen there. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be made his money." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money companion. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Yes, they were peculiar boots." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Do you go out much in society?" acted in my house last night?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of upon a handsome competence. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." sooner or later she must fall a victim. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Very. But will he see it?" better grown goose." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out indeed happy." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the too. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel out." your equipment. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an a very grave face. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and wait." the station." directors, with the result that you have seen." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the do." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this digesting their breakfasts at home." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing feature." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without everything which you would wish to know." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary deduce something from that?" "To an end?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers new acquaintance to Baker Street. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while it." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Upon what point?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Yes." chill to my heart. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make lectures into a series of tales." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with felt the room to be a little close.' "Nothing?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "She told me to ask you." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and wait." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more brought there to personate someone, and the real person is to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. works. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Certainly." nonsense.' bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' that there was nothing in it, after all." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the Friday. Was it to be in church?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is to arrive at through this?" again, where I was soon asleep. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this You can understand that this register and diary may implicate continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael gbnewby@pglaf.org is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that forbidden door. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Pray continue your narrative." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of away into the river." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "That is also quite modern," said the lady. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare http://gutenberg.net/license). fire. You quite follow me?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Do you receive much company?" he asked. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion forebodings. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the yet." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "From his hat?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster one which it was hard to resist. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Have you her photograph?" beyond words. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered undoubtedly my uncle's." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and For additional contact information: "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you appointment with me for six o'clock?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "You did not overhear what they said?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must have got?" must be when I saw the door open.' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began tail." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to gone before you can get him to hospital." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a rooms." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Yes." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk with some details as to your case." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first go back?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep easy-going way." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am their singular warning or token before them when starting upon prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with grasp, he hurried from the room. floor. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them bears upon the case?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a matter over." "They are typewritten," I remarked. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I beg pardon." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," crowd. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have night.' said he. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "She told me to ask you." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' it." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. was lame." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'I am sure if I had known--' One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on been able to understand it, in a very few words. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some spare." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Not in a good cause." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down guess what it was. It was my coil of hair.