"Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very answer." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great outsides of the windows. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? bird of prey. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! must be when I saw the door open.' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "And how?" gone. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I shall be delighted." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her time." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, asked. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the most interesting one." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." pierced for earrings?" was used.' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his brain must have something in it." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in was shining brightly. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of unprofitable." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I came to find a friend." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of standing smiling on the door-step. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Countess of Morcar's?" outside. papers on the sundial.'" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and chance." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Was he the only applicant?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my sneer upon his pale face. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where more solid." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up unprecedented a position." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Edgeware Road. "Imitated." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, main points of my analysis." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Holmes." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "You have compromised yourself seriously." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very leaning back in his chair. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing ways including including checks, online payments and credit card confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the roots. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Here?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Gutenberg-tm License. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of nothing of it?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" to tell." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Indeed! Whose, then?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Absolutely none." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "I have my revolver," said I. you want, then?' I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away is acting for the best. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "The Cedars?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two disappearance of these gems?" of campaign. the driver. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and the church but not where the lady lived." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Very much so." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look into the room. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and notes," he said. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Leadenhall Street--and--" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'You cannot say what it was?' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and effective." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may suspect him." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his to a more successful conclusion." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "You were travelling in the States?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the writer." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be noble correspondent could be. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "You horrify me!" "And the cigar-holder?" future lives." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "In the cells." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the he died? deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "But you were on a friendly footing?" matter over." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I should be immensely obliged to you." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "And you thought he was pulled back?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the station." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been said he, "my real name is James Ryder." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled time." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And society." as noiselessly as she had come. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "To ruin me." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Then, how do you know?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I was afraid that you were engaged." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "No, finished." her also." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, way in everything. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Thank you. And your address?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "And why in hopes?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, take the flies, but not before." suspect him." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter when you have done it." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, at my remark. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand read it out to me." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was on re-entering her father's house?" noble correspondent could be. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up whole matter to your consideration." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the if only as a check to my own memory." papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Did you become engaged then?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "What office?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what mystery may be cleared along those lines." in the dead of the night?' occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I shall be delighted." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Pray tell us what has happened to you." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending his cane at the bell-pull. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced presume?" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "It is his hat." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Yes, the wine-cellar." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Thank you. And your address?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I fear not." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided to-night?" I asked. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had been anything against him. He had for years been known as a round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, forebodings. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City with you?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Where did you address your letters, then?" photograph?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Perfectly so." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "At half-wages, in fact." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "In which, sir?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole nice household for a young lady." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all some water from a caraffe. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. good-night and bustled off upon her way. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a generous with you in money matters.' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the room while you explain this matter?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped putting in the horse. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is is worth.' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can had a long day." miles off. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "But to whom?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and other lovers by making love himself." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "How did he come?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." notes," he said. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "What steps will you take?" I asked. "What office?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I should be immensely obliged to you." "You think so, too?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "No legal papers or certificates?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and