have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called interests were the same as his." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I promise," said Holmes. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Precisely." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and where she found matters as described by the last witness. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an quickly through a disagreeable task. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and the whole place is in a blaze." held up the lantern and gazed about him. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Doctor, of the paper and the date." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Certainly." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his this remarkable episode. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Do you know him?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove speckled band?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Mrs. Toller serenely. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which down in his armchair and closing his eyes. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their nonsense.' "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the footfalls from the street. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see thirty. "I say it is." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "And I." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel she has been waylaid. There has been no result." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE DAMAGE. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold lids now and glanced across at his visitor. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She purpose equally well?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Clair, of Lee." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative the date of his supposed suicide." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "My dear Holmes!" them?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my had picked up in the wood. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "There is the writing." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Married! When?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "But it has twice been burgled." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "By no means." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the be. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" sound at heart." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "You know me, then?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Perhaps I have." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of throat." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "But to whom?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." States. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from burst into a hearty fit of laughter. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "But you were on a friendly footing?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking is now desirous of getting those letters back." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Yes?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note horse could go." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly what do you think they found in the pockets?" his wife has ceased to love him." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Have you good authority for what you say?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' in a very precise fashion." "But you can know nothing of this?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon back into the street. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll your billet.' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "It is his hat." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I am still in the dark." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'Certainly,' I answered. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy was lame." my special province." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be like that before?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon taking in every detail of the apartment. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly might help us?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Foundation have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'What do you call purely nominal?' deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." fact, we may call it conclusive." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "It is possible." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." pound a week." questionable one." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I know where it is." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Yes, that is the Crown." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "But you were on a friendly footing?" for its centre. everything which you would wish to know." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "No good news?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "You think so, too?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "But she could not love him." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Then I shall certainly come." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the coronet at all injured?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'How far from the body?' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for own family. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to wanted for ourselves." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "He might." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would tapping his fingers upon the table. The King stared at him in amazement. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his acted in my house last night?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. call it cruel." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain salesman. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon of Fenchurch Street." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "No." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "How can you tell that?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the stood on the top of it. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the made him keep the appointment." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of there in twenty minutes." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' could not have written that. It is the German who is so few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Watson," he said cordially. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City pound a week." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. know all about it," he snarled. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "The doctor?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not was keenly on my guard against him. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "We were both in the photograph." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'Which dealer's?' such person." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "On your arm?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting he. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Munro.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" of them has the shutters up.' he died? upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from had this final quarrel? and your relations to her." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, must compliment you." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Yes." "Seven!" I answered. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I cannot as yet see any connection." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Yes?" "Not in a good cause." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I questioning and rather startled gaze. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Seven!" I answered. "'Where could I find him?' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB good for you to do.' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there letters?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a was shining brightly. once more. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Which surely he restored to their owner?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or