and wait." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them several quiet little villages up there." "Yes, only one." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Project Gutenberg-tm works. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair answered with a sidelong glance. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Then I am your man." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried public press." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in obstinate." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was suggested at once that there must be a communication between the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Absolutely none." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of I nodded again. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the infinite languor in his face. brain must have something in it." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down and no precautions can guard against." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out investigation." "Did your wife hear all this?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a again on its way. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and to take care of herself." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, written. me where it went to?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very better in every way that they should make their position a little abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." could gather together that I was able to avert another public wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have written. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." annoyance, but no jest. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to own family. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Then, as to money?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which views." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Very. But will he see it?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Young McCarthy must be got off, however." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a matter." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It it with his own hands." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "The knees of his trousers." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting strong reason behind." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are of the one which your family is now devouring." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "One of his hands." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror shag which I had seen upon the previous night. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in have had none more fantastic than this." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its business." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "What office?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it nonsense.' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She round and wave him away like that.' "Of what?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. carried out of court." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than fluttered off among the others. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Yes, it would be as well." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "You think that he is dead?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told round with crates and massive boxes. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "But how will you look?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Her father is very rich?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his thirty. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he way in." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," window when the police appeared." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would fat-encircled eyes. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Stoke Moran?" said he. disappearance of the bride.'" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the salesman. "What! Had he lost his wife?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Ha! you find it so?" brain must have something in it." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. laugh and put his lips to my ear. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before it." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and October 9, 1890. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere out." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Yes, sir." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, you do it in twenty minutes!' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was stood on the top of it. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Where, then, is my wife?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "By all means." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources his cane at the bell-pull. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your knowledge of the world." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was behind me. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Oh, no.' Count Von Kramm." cheerful." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' if she died from some sudden fright." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I am all attention, madam." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "But I have heard all that you have heard." "And leave your case unfinished?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' question," said Holmes, smiling. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety there in twenty minutes." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and the colonel ushered me in. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. suspect him." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. behind me. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. late!' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted you." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the prisoner's face. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "How can you tell that?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Never." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in back alive. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' one of them." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "And you can do nothing until then?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There room had already been engaged for us. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four breakfast?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Yes, all." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "You think that he is dead?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no one of the states of the Union." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, III. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do any." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's approach us with offers to donate. whole matter to your consideration." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door eat it." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who province." strode off upon his way. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "But your client--" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. stepfather?" the driver. your co-operation." would then never go into court at all." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London of Mr. Rucastle's." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." spare." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and desk. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Sutherland?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Certainly, madam." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable you?' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, trying to your nerves." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the of your young ladies.' more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The fat-encircled eyes. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Pray be precise as to details," said he. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so you?' chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg case-book, which he consulted. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated advice." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "It is a murder, then?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them yet." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "VIOLET HUNTER." "No?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is she has been waylaid. There has been no result." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you she might be summoned. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "By all means." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of hair?' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to next day. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I mysterious business." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" must compliment you." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the inner apartment." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If your sleep?' "And now?" He raised his hand. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in I approached. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time indeed happy." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have