"Really! You surprise me." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his friends, not even his own brother. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "You heard nothing yourself last night?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have any more." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before hair?' refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "But what is it you wish?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "From his hat?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' gigantic client. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Eyford." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "It surprised me." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Your presence might be invaluable." "But I have heard all that you have heard." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these II. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has place, I think that there is good ground to think that the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "But you were on a friendly footing?" which it had come upon my father." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' have not had my rubber." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "How did that help you?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I am sure." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. works. See paragraph 1.E below. see me here to avoid scandal." "There is the writing." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly been able to understand it, in a very few words. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved returned to France?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near certainly do as you advise." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The go from here to the Strand." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Her father is very rich?" matter over." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet like gravel from a pit.' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are such attractions and accomplishments?' thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." guilty one." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy just ask you whether you had heard it.' prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to had no one to advise her at such a crisis." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom fuss that is made over them." girl said." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a interests were the same as his." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, October 9, 1890. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the I leave." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident question you as to those details which seem to me to be most and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Ha! you find it so?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, envelope. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his desk. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his my secret was safe in his possession. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "How many? I don't know." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the address. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, open." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would your co-operation." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits appeal." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must in your London, you will know that the office of the company is push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call one's self under obligations.' "It missed him, then?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through again." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Who by?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the that I can to serve you." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in chambers. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought hair?' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Watson," he said cordially. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened even of instruction." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." presented more singular features than that which was associated a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the inner apartment." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from into the bag, and made for the door. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the think that any burglar could have done. that?' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our closely." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it not use it unless it is absolutely needed." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last in my life." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am manager. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from pictures, libraries, or plate. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes way in." "'Ample.' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Then I do not see the point." "I was afraid that you were engaged." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the child." plantation.' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or fear." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the minor matters until to-morrow." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "We have tried and failed." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an conversation I have gathered that they have been married about standing smiling on the door-step. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I cannot as yet see any connection." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend galvanised. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay lips." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I already been minutely examined." "Yes, certainly." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he out of this horrible affair." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was most interesting one." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Was there a secret marriage?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will murdered man." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's of the vacancies.' "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "If so, much may have happened between." floor. "'I have already given you my word.' "'Oh, no.' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double his wife has ceased to love him." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be arms and began to sob in a high treble key. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "To an end?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had province." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "And how in the world did you find them?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and girl said." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in fled together." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "And your father? Did you tell him?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "None. Neville wrote those words." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Was the window open?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. writers could invent nothing more crude." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Have you it here?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you overpowering excitement and concern. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "No." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Yes, it was twisted." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis lips." retorted upon me, and I on you." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. outside." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small crime." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst as this. Pray let me have the details." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Where to?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Very truly yours, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the do.' "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar them present such singular features as the strange train of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "My stepfather's business papers." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. signal between you and your father? believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "My stepfather's business papers." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. You want to know what became of those geese?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the cigar and let me expound." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap events, Mr. Windibank!" becomes even more simple." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where