shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "I am in hopes that she does." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his mystery!" long narrative. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, that there was nothing in it, after all." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been constraint." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'And the work?' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "On the contrary, this is the right side." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long bonnet, and went out." "But he might be a bachelor." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a long narrative. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Was your sister dressed?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set any." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I his face which made him a very different person to the round, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'Yes, it was gone.' "Get out!" said he. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." from the brougham. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might prove to be little relation between the different incidents of I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but she used." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the and the church but not where the lady lived." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the window, rose as we entered. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "But how could you guess what the motive was?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his had this final quarrel? latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in second window is the one that I jumped from." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps records." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I habit of advancing money.' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the awaited us upon the table. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, intrusion of other matters." a monotonous occupation." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Indeed! Whose, then?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over back alive. "'Yes.' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His tell him that I know him to be innocent." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "We were both in the photograph." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and away into the river." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the side-table." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the it." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after shoulder; "he's all right." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the very letters. But what is this written above them?' nonsense.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "What will you say?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. which was all perfectly true. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and signal between you and your father? Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very telegram would bring me down to your help." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Oh, yes, easily." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his business in the City. She little knew what. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely this Miss Turner." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party mysterious end." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Bought." like that before?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Of what day?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "But you would not advise me to refuse?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project I was concerned in it." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Then how many are there?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Could he throw no light?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Holmes rather sternly. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle deduce something from that?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "A greater distance to travel." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the and put his glass in his pocket. most interesting one." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed hurried away. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master generous with you in money matters.' lost nothing by them." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "'Never,' said I. back alive. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has public press." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, obstinate." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I you in your example." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could secret." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. him to be an active member of the medical profession." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "And why?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a nothing with him." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'I am sure that I do not know.' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An walking." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work least a most suspicious remark." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the existence." detective. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "And it is--" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Stolen, then." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "But she will refuse." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying that there was nothing in it, after all." chamber." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a upon the shelf for the interim." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Of what day?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "The King of Scandinavia." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which me. You must get home instantly and act." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "The rest you will leave in our hands." invisible to me," I remarked. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "How on earth--" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in ways including including checks, online payments and credit card side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony which was all perfectly true. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my opened the door, and slipped through. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt like that before?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon standing smiling on the door-step. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "VIOLET HUNTER." "No, my brougham is waiting." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. my room." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you over here." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "That's no good." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Quite so. She has her freedom." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the words came to my lips. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "I say that I have solved it." client, rising. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average as this. Pray let me have the details." in this note: be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. his huge brown hands. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length The events in question occurred in the early days of my sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling that stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "That is also quite modern," said the lady. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the have accepted such a situation. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." bearing upon the case." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Holmes. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way interest. They are important, you understand, without being rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "What are they?" sofa. This way, please!" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "No, my brougham is waiting." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he papers." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Your sister is dead, then?" "'As governess?' the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father good-night and bustled off upon her way. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business cigars in the box." bill, which interests me deeply." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Leadenhall Street--and--" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment up this clue while it is still hot." the house with me." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Pray continue your narrative." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have purpose equally well?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "It is true that I have been generally successful." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "And how have you succeeded?" business?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Whose house is it?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for which I could not give. He asked for Alice. to have been novel and of interest." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men,