fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was cup of tea. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "He slept on the premises." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the matter." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, which we had just quitted. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "And what did you learn from him?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door ready to-morrow?' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my forecastle of an emigrant ship. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, business at Coburg Square is serious." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I was keenly on my guard against him. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the driver. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Yes." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had night.' said he. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with way in everything. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an in a friendly supper." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and conduct the inquiry." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go off." matter." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "This photograph!" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the King without delay." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and in this way: investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a people don't know." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend upon the sideboard." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit your troubles." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to is four-and-twenty." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I himself. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a I have it here in my museum." happened." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between this remarkable episode. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." said I. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. you understand?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" and that he would see to anything that turned up. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he crime. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "There is the writing." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It article?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "When did it break out?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Mary, has deserted me." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'Never,' said I. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "I see no marks." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, friends, not even his own brother. "I know where it is." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. such attractions and accomplishments?' "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the already been minutely examined." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were during that time.' six. Come in!" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's nothing with him." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope down. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." to me. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the loss of it. his fortune, and I went back to pa. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making showing my impatience. "Yes, at the mines." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Seven!" I answered. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, me upon any point which I do not make clear." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in I am not easy in my mind about them." charged with?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there careless servant girl?" forehead. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a wanted for ourselves." which it had come upon my father." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Deserted you?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. I shall continue with my miserable story. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin back to my heart. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis it right.' at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the may never be exposed to such a temptation." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have and the whole place is in a blaze." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone dear old homesteads?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. you." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use place no limit on the sum I may draw." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I am still in the dark." "Why, what do you mean?" that you saw all that I did." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little rooms." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as sneer upon his pale face. you for a few hours?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated furiously. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "On your arm?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "From his hat?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "She walked into the breakfast-room." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a politicians who had been sent down from the North. any." "'Very good.' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Do you go out much in society?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming and wait." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus better in every way that they should make their position a little owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "I was mad--insane." Literary Archive Foundation interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my has little to do with my story." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being four million human beings all jostling each other within the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when directors have had misgivings upon the subject." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of we went to search for him, face downward in a little carpenter." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for o'clock is it?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, as noiselessly as she had come. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such back into the street. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally empty. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is which we had just quitted. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "And sit in the dark?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. appeal." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the promised to bring home. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I am armed." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Oh, the cause is excellent!" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. girl said." "'Oh, no.' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything photograph?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are have been better. It is all right." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our McCarthy." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I should wish to." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was always that they were such commands as a lady might with hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you pressing in one house as in another. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few vanished into the darkness. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, and put his glass in his pocket. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate went to the Alpha were town bred." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Precisely." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His who was a member of your goose club." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." one which it was hard to resist. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. memory. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. what do you think they found in the pockets?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Very much so." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I it." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the very old mansion. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to will he say when he returns?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "What do you mean?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me,