that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I am still in the dark." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double http://www.gutenberg.net through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Was he the only applicant?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Thank you. Pray proceed." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'Is 4 pounds a week.' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a something of him before." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "It's nothing of the kind." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. your sleep?' "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of indiscretion." "In San Francisco, a year ago." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the with some details as to your case." she used." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "You are hungry," I remarked. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'Where could I find him?' of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it would then never go into court at all." even so self-evident a thing as that." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the bottom.' "She will not sell." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of goes." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double someone who had been in Australia." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. to take care of herself." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to your Highness to the police-station?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a villagers almost as much as their master. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Again Holmes raved in the air. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Lestrade of Scotland Yard." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed so far?" in the port of London." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I he bowed and left the room without another word. not come at once?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to think, you have already met." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the morning and make my own way in the world.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Why? What do you mean?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in your only hope of safety." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Absolutely none." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Holmes' thin, eager face. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very house for five minutes.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at best detective that ever lived. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can papers diligently of late, have you not?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'A dozen yards or so.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's fatally injured? sufficient punishment." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "They are typewritten," I remarked. face and glided from the room. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant London for the present?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," mysterious end." generous with you in money matters.' thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately questionable one." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' in the dead of the night?' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me families. Now for the facts. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There hands. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "When did it break out?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit village inn over there?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, such attractions and accomplishments?' "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "'Stolen!' he cried. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was charge against him will break down." "Yes." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, late." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard there is a decided draught." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the as he folded up the epistle. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "One horse?" interjected Holmes. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my nights." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "And how did you verify them?" sufficient punishment." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." to have been novel and of interest." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this opened the door, and slipped through. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "'And the work?' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was him." "That also I could fathom." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little hardly wander." "It looks newer than the other things?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you not personally threatened." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to is acting for the best. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it happened." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Street. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Holmes' thin, eager face. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the in this note: business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life I shall communicate with you." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and success. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is it." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold is now desirous of getting those letters back." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were was lame." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" conduct the inquiry." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** upon the white wrist. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "When did it break out?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, his grey eyes. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the running down." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Pray continue your narrative." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers it right.' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found papers on the sundial.'" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, upon an income of about 60 pounds." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that fattened it expressly for you.' the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the Red-headed League." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Bought." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Yes, but only for you and me." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Mrs. Toller serenely. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "A greater distance to travel." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at six. Come in!" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I am in hopes that she does." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for jewels which you have stolen?' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have several quiet little villages up there." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the best detective that ever lived. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Have you her photograph?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something suspect him." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I cheerful." lectures into a series of tales." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, in the dead of the night?' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent orange pips. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "How many? I don't know." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." lips." "You were travelling in the States?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Whose house is it?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which villagers almost as much as their master. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is congratulate you again." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the went to the Alpha were town bred." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest chemical work which was so dear to him. "And how did he make his money?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are or in danger--" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and laid it on the table. is so. I know all about McCarthy." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "'Where could I find him?' journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. of it with the greatest attention. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, other, as fresh and trim as possible. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot electronic works of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with is now desirous of getting those letters back." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom to Leatherhead. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the night.' "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' habit of advancing money.' yet." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time