"The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency fear." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "No." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter that you saw all that I did." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He door?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "But you can know nothing of this?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so could not account in any way for the presence of the missing case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a a suggestive one." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the running down." directly by questioning you." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, were wasted." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to lamp. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then on re-entering her father's house?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that and the church but not where the lady lived." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without gigantic client. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to that you wished to speak to me?' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but carpenter." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. has little to do with my story." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of tightly behind him. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." shoulder. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I of it with the greatest attention. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning grasp, he hurried from the room. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The thirty. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "I cannot imagine." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by made him keep the appointment." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Holmes. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning to surprise her." sooner or later she must fall a victim. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I have my revolver," said I. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you bearing upon the case." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Did your wife hear all this?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'Certainly not.' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Not in a good cause." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at unclasping of his long thin hands. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch swore that no one else had been in the front room during the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Pray tell us what has happened to you." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key him and tried to hold him back. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his knowledge of the world." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the were unconscious?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "To the police?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever there was no need for father to know." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "But I am all in the dark." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "At what time?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was such attractions and accomplishments?' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right situation." that he will be back before evening." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very it. photograph a cabinet?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" heavy and sharp instrument." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "At what time?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a thought that she would have been so carried away." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an despair." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I everything which you would wish to know." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Bought." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you fattened it expressly for you.' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is been shamefully used." "But I am all in the dark." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. once more for Briony Lodge. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked was used.' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You face and glided from the room. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his thirty. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Which are?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Nor running a chance of arrest?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Come in!" said he. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back one or two very singular points about this room. For example, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had joking. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a The King stared at him in amazement. "And what did you see?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Pray continue your narrative." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward bonnet, and went out." his wife has ceased to love him." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "You horrify me!" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he outside. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "And your mother is alive?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Bought." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner least a fellow-countryman. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and rat could hardly pass through." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "One of his hands." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the Friday. Was it to be in church?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was careless servant girl?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "If so, much may have happened between." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder investigation." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in sneer upon his pale face. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers was used.' seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I do." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Absolutely?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "How about poison?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Pope's Court, Fleet Street." what is your own theory as to what took place?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two voice. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself my special province." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "None." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow would apply.' with frightened eyes at his accuser. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Come in!" said he. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the I am not easy in my mind about them." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "9th. McCauley cleared. the house with me." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, some city in a dream. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I cannot as yet see any connection." business at Coburg Square is serious." the Red-headed League." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I am sure." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Were they all fastened this morning?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the coronet in his hands?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, little adventures." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an absolutely follow my advice in every respect." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, been shamefully used." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most business came to an end." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian house for five minutes.' should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "And how did he make his money?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "What I expected to see." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most done what I asked you, Jones?" His smile broadened. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it woman." the bed, and you in that chair." it." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of morning." "Come in!" said Holmes. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have question. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the hour." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a light and attacked it." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "In heaven's name, what for?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute exactly what you advise." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it DAMAGE. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my quickly through a disagreeable task. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, felt?" noting anything else of interest. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable once more. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your