It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the ventilator." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached despaired of." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed begun to whiten, even as mine has." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. foot. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Not yet." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Clair, of Lee." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my is so. I know all about McCarthy." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the night.' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'I am sure that I do not know.' "It came here." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "From his hat?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "It certainly sounds feasible." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She man. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he records." "I will get her to show me." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I memory. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his this Miss Turner." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; like that before?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? started for the Temple to see my husband. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a occurred." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "What! a murderous attack?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down exactly what you advise." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the ashen face. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Leave Paddington by the 11:15." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler returning from some small jollification and was making his way in this note: 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, companion imperturbably. "My dear Holmes!" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his redistribution. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more definite end. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Arthur Conan Doyle American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel hurried by. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." villagers almost as much as their master. examine." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for him. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Not I." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in fat-encircled eyes. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "No, thank goodness, she did not." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the general public were present, then?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the matter?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature learned something! Where are the gems?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Now, then, what's the last entry?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly noting anything else of interest. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "A greater distance to travel." "Well, some hundreds of times." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been himself. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an crackling voice. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it spare." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." brain must have something in it." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been said Mr. Holder. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what security.' sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the away into the river." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just companion quietly. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Won't it ring?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case occurred." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the station." invisible to me," I remarked. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on During two years I have had three consultations and one small the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "We must have a cab." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a hardly wander." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings recover the gem." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "But he might be a bachelor." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in name is different." "One of his hands." yards of it?' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips reach." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Gutenberg-tm License. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'As governess?' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Quite so." "It was." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was chill to my heart. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "But I have heard all that you have heard." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be all that?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his outbreak?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed memory. take the flies, but not before." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried your troubles." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in certainly do as you advise." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Holmes' thin, eager face. was not a bird to be seen there. "My opinion is in no way altered." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when beyond words. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Witness: It was. During two years I have had three consultations and one small was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Certainly, madam." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had any little problem which you may submit to me." "'You cannot say what it was?' ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To letters?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' he died? "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for weighed down with some great anxiety. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. hair?' "Nothing." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Again Holmes raved in the air. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between he died? never will be, entirely cleared up. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "No, I think that I'll take it." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off lamp. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Can I be of assistance?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I would give my fortune to have them back." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought head. So long, then!" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning answered with a sidelong glance. 11:15.' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he taking in every detail of the apartment. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "You know me, then?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old cigars in the box." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "The vanishing of the lady." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "You are hungry," I remarked. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, into the room. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a himself in a perplexing position. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of strong reason behind." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the to you." thought that she would have been so carried away." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "You think that he is dead?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' what is your own theory as to what took place?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On noble correspondent could be. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in looking up at the numbers of the houses." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." is," said he presently: address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice triumphant cloud from his cigarette. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Did your wife hear all this?" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "That is possible." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "She will not sell." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but you came in." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of upon the sideboard." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my to surprise her." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; hand, madam?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my any." "Yes, certainly." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "What will you say?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for province." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Pope's Court. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be The King stared at him in amazement. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each bonnet, and went out." "One of his hands." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes room?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, security.' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine ordinary clothes on?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found and I shall be with you presently." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to eat it." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took overpowering excitement and concern. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "I have solved it." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting quick march!" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of any more." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "What! Had he lost his wife?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was stood on the top of it. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he absorbing." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "What then?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the south-west, I see." "What do you make of that, Watson?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper McCarthy's innocence. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor.