truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life and it need not interfere very much with one's other not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." I nodded again. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," ran thus: the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it http://www.gutenberg.net the one as in the other." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "You will not go there first?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Bought." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Where, then?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than for the market.' was lame." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to is so. I know all about McCarthy." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Have you it here?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'Which dealer's?' "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed infinite languor in his face. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Your sister is dead, then?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was to affect your life." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "And how?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an foresight and the moral retrogression?" never to learn it at all." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the shoulder. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I remarked. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus arms and began to sob in a high treble key. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Pray do so." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either bird of prey. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "That sounds a little paradoxical." felt?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Yes, I have one waiting." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was to-night." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His not fit the lock." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter than to us. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Well?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful DISSOLVED. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally during that time.' it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is that you saw all that I did." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than know what is wrong with it.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as highroad, where all traces were lost. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive papers." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "The knees of his trousers." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding residence of the great financier. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his go back?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when considering the formidable letters which were received by himself only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will yourselves in at night?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Nothing." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, whether it answered to the description of any of their quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some was not a bird to be seen there. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when newspaper selections." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they asked. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call works. See paragraph 1.E below. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer six. Come in!" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Was he the only applicant?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he important." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "How did you trace it, then?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed not personally threatened." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his things are very often connected not with the larger but with the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "How many? I don't know." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Then what has happened to him?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "And how did you find out?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "I don't say that. Perhaps." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs had died away into the silence from which it rose. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was in this note: were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "We have tried and failed." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right outside. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': fire. You quite follow me?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's call for it in person on Monday morning.' that he has suffered." success. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their tear off another piece?' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the bonnet, and went out." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Mrs. Toller serenely. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of assist you in forming an opinion." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford October 9, 1890. our word." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you it." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "But not more so than I to find you." "What then?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut bell. Holmes whistled. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me showing my impatience. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Where is it, then?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is girl said." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." indeed which he could not unravel. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "How often?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we handed it to him. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to hour." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Nothing." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Again Holmes raved in the air. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Very much so." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood to surprise her." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Well." mysterious end." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees but preventing her from injuring another. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my I took the paper from him and read as follows: but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to sooner or later she must fall a victim. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could vanished into the darkness. "My Mary? Impossible!" night.' said he. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue at once, for I have only half an hour." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Yes, sir." help us in this matter." "But of what society?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "And is that all?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which foot. place of silver." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were problems help me to do so." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, shall not find me ungrateful." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the union?" It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey them present such singular features as the strange train of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "None. Neville wrote those words." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a is now desirous of getting those letters back." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'Never.' time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" once more for Briony Lodge. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "And you can do nothing until then?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but rooms." away into the river." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which guilty one." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are for securing the situation." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the inner apartment." again on its way. to-night." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Your French gold?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which excitement. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a see a sister of mine apply for." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." certainly not very gracious." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "My private note-paper." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired there when the Rucastles went away." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was was not a bird to be seen there. take the flies, but not before." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "About a month then." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in me where it went to?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it