"You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. than was visible to me." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Have you good authority for what you say?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. conceal it?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Of Friday, June 19th." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by done what I asked you, Jones?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to forbidden door. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in him and tried to hold him back. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable that he has suffered." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, had formerly been in part my own. "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had there has been an enclosure here!" have I gained?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "It missed him, then?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I say that I have solved it." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she breakfast?" Holmes' thin, eager face. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not think you a quite exceptional woman." "'How far from the body?' this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "It is true that I have been generally successful." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "'Yes, I promise.' "One?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Yes, it was twisted." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he had died away into the silence from which it rose. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I was sure that I might rely on you." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for friends, not even his own brother. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has during which he might have communicated with his friend the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he You want to know what became of those geese?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and your relations to her." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Munro.' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we unkempt, staring out at me. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "You don't mind breaking the law?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "I should like to see him very much." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon arrangements." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Then I do not see the point." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened promised to bring home. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. with some details as to your case." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent writing, and yet I know it well." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." I approached. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "The rest you will leave in our hands." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was over here." "A greater distance to travel." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "One of the highest in England." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold that you wished to speak to me?' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "I think that I had better go, Holmes." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I was mad--insane." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "No, I am descending." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny unclasping of his long thin hands. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the date of his supposed suicide." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you than to us. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." business came to an end." My friend smiled. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower notes," he said. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and occupations.' 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Yes, sir." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I should wish to." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the best of training." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; in my life." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, words came to my lips. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it minor matters until to-morrow." occupations.' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" said Mr. Holder. fire. You quite follow me?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "It is his hat." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to to-night?' about. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his see me here to avoid scandal." that I am arrested." thin legs towards the fire. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Yes." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with spare." in the hope of finding them." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Pope's Court. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" is four-and-twenty." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very way in everything. "Was your sister dressed?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Yes, from Horsham." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Yes, from Horsham." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. heavy and sharp instrument." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this His smile broadened. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in she used." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when awaited us upon the table. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'Where could I find him?' your room." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "And Irene Adler?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I went to the Alpha were town bred." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Look there!" said he. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "No legal papers or certificates?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found colonel looking down at me. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "How did that help you?" and wait." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most into her hand at the door and which lured her within their be. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "My dear Holmes!" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, carpenter." which are rolled in Rotterdam." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "And leave your case unfinished?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "On Monday." October 9, 1890. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a man. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. lost nothing by them." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be been able to understand it, in a very few words. train.' was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute crime." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to have got?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Have you good authority for what you say?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Where did he live, then?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door room?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "It was." "The landlord of the Alpha." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it minor matters until to-morrow." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Who by?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Deserted you?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover IS a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "What?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "It missed him, then?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "My dear Holmes!" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' morning." upon the shelf for the interim." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Henry Baker is a member." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "No." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "It is a murder, then?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in strength." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Yes." crackling voice. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever breakfast and whispered something to her husband. became a certainty. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "How on earth--" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was ready to-morrow?' "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I on in his house." skylight. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of