the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the loss of it. McCarthy." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his chance." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and I shall be with you presently." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "He disappeared so suddenly." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, problems help me to do so." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as is so. I know all about McCarthy." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled made his money." "One of his hands." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. of this gang." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Was there a secret marriage?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to conclusions. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very will be renamed. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, breakfast?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, in the hope of finding them." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "But what will you do?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and had picked up in the wood. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and capable of preserving a secret.' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the amused." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, most interesting one." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, disturbance in my wife." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Your French gold?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Then I shall certainly come." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps begin with, and I had not got mine yet." prison!" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Then I shall certainly come." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage wanted for ourselves." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with should be so warm over such a trifle." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "So it appears." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "You are all wrong." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'Oh, no.' would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the bed, and you in that chair." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able status with the IRS. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, against a man in the prime of life?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors as this. Pray let me have the details." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little notes," he said. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Dirty?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the head. So long, then!" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "And leave your case unfinished?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest it." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the unclasping of his long thin hands. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "BALLARAT." "Eh? What was that?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, said I. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "But she will refuse." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "No. What a strange idea!" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than narrative." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and foot. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "He said that you could solve anything." tension within him. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally in one or two places in England?' I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make yet." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our south, for the country is more deserted there." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "You don't mind breaking the law?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, business." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "And now?" He raised his hand. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who with you?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "And how in the world did you find them?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and laugh and put his lips to my ear. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "The landlord of the Alpha." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand relief. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an cigars in their mouths. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I am all attention, madam." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose everything which you would wish to know." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away him and tried to hold him back. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who figure." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "In answer to an advertisement." which are rolled in Rotterdam." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always hereditary King of Bohemia." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "But how?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Dirty?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "And when will you call?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to coat-tails." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a less than 26s. 4d. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now think that any burglar could have done. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's place no limit on the sum I may draw." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "I have a cab outside." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Stolen." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set constraint." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at charge against him will break down." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the The events in question occurred in the early days of my send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "No." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg DAMAGE. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I am armed." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. forehead. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating John Swain, of St. Augustine. telegram would bring me down to your help." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. that you can jump it.' gone. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses bore every mark of being an average commonplace British vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Did he not advertise?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about least a most suspicious remark." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "No, I had a dozen." Mary, has deserted me." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove that he will be back before evening." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some some water from a caraffe. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Doctor, of the paper and the date." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the bottom.' makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of was keenly on my guard against him. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the posted to-day." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He politicians who had been sent down from the North. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been some place of shelter and let the county police know what has in my life." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and nothing of it?" what these perils are?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help one's self under obligations.' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining crackling voice. results." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any meant it for the best. outsides of the windows. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so During two years I have had three consultations and one small in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Sutherland. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Never." me upon any point which I do not make clear." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to make me his representative both with the servants and with the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am there was no need for father to know." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a strong reason behind." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was been shamefully used." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'Ten to two.' "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." have established a very serious case against the son of the constraint." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "And why?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He once more to my work. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Yes, certainly." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Murdered?" "Yes. He waved his hands." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country prison!" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was