few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Perfectly so." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her would apply.' been deceived." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in danger is over." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation It may be so in this case, also." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." this poor creature." read it out to me." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point over with notes and figures. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual II. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His of the way of danger. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. companion. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Yes." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, telegram would bring me down to your help." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "And is that all?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause married her." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a you." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Your French gold?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'I have already given you my word.' and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed was not a bird to be seen there. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at to some other building. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend dates and names. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as than to us. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "9th. McCauley cleared. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight The summons was a brief and urgent one. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as of Mr. Rucastle's." "I will get her to show me." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official wedding?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a lips." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in you do it in twenty minutes!' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client see a sister of mine apply for." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea national property. I was determined that the law should have its these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a I have it here in my museum." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Not yet." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being down in his armchair and closing his eyes. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we colonel looking down at me. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with is four-and-twenty." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Absolutely none." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read introspective fashion. "What have you to say now?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak pity, because in other respects you would really have done very vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has amused." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of wall." Countess of Morcar's?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Well?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much even so self-evident a thing as that." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Thank you. Pray proceed." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "And your mother is alive?" than to us. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, neither fascinating nor artistic." "I cannot tell." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "At half-wages, in fact." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds galvanised. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "What, then?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Come in!" said he. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "It was an hour's good drive." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Yes, sir." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his fear." four million human beings all jostling each other within the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Nothing." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is vanished into the darkness. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that all?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I came to find a friend." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'Certainly not. But why?' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into You want to know what became of those geese?" in the dead of the night?' glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Yes, sir." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, morning." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came been shamefully used." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently of a light. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Then you may entirely rely on me." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "My opinion is in no way altered." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. photograph?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well that I am arrested." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to anything to a woman, for she would have her way." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less gone. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "'Very good.' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both I nodded again. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry nothing of it?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "And who is her maid?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "How did you deduce the select?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance forebodings. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." his forehead." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast clanging. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Then the page we have seen--" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "So I am. Very much so." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are way in everything. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove undoubtedly my uncle's." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss dead, shall be safe with us." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Well, but China?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to help us in this matter." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Watson," he said cordially. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between since then to throw any light upon what became of him." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon reach." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have jewels which you have stolen?' suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one them?" had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that present." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Oh, fresh and glossy." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the just called myself is not exactly my own." will not take me long to tell. detained." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any enter Dr. Roylott's room." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Street. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." purpose of examination. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Well?" "No." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely nonsense.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from troubles have been weighing upon his mind. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the said he. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old chambers. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'You doubt its value?' he asked. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'About the same.' "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to weighed down with some great anxiety. It may be so in this case, also." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a several quiet little villages up there." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried had picked up in the wood. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was