The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg some place of shelter and let the county police know what has destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now lectures into a series of tales." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an that, and I came down." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this business." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my to arrive at through this?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "No." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. if I call to-morrow?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not II. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with next day. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to is acting for the best. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Did you observe the colour?" wedding?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution face and glided from the room. My friend smiled. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Chief Executive and Director have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of mystery may be cleared along those lines." him to be an active member of the medical profession." appointment with me for six o'clock?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." will not take me long to tell. and the colonel ushered me in. weary and pale-looking. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. presented more singular features than that which was associated "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself to that open window." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then noting anything else of interest. fluttered off among the others. will he say when he returns?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her hour?' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "By no means." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Yes, but only for you and me." "It must be recovered." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria in his power. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Yes?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "So it appears." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him enough to aid us in our search." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I door?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if approach us with offers to donate. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the been shamefully used." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Nothing." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Yes, he did." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. be best to do. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. certainly not very gracious." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. open." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Yesterday." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' weighed down with some great anxiety. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I little trying to do so much typewriting?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman sentimental considerations in the background which would induce gone. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their of this gang." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic disappearance of the bride.'" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I have come for advice." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "That you are never beaten." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Lestrade of Scotland Yard." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of was a loud and authoritative tap. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but think you a quite exceptional woman." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable you." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. I nodded again. have I gained?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt mysterious business." to-night?" I asked. long narrative. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "We must have a cab." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said room had already been engaged for us. again." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him ways of our fellow-men." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt may never be exposed to such a temptation." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself call you and give you the chance." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "It is solved." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the coroner come to?" detective. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining power." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "'You doubt its value?' he asked. danger is over." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "And why?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall he bowed and left the room without another word. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another should be taken.' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. wall." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "My private note-paper." "Nothing." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Where, then, is my wife?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior garden below. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the was feeling which was the fattest.' "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Then he might have called to you?" that, and I came down." room. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "But she could not love him." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE several quiet little villages up there." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must sofa. This way, please!" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "You horrify me." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our things are very often connected not with the larger but with the and glanced through. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "No, I am descending." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "But how?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "But who is he?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn lids now and glanced across at his visitor. girl said." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Arthur Conan Doyle case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." people don't know." cigar and let me expound." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I quickly through a disagreeable task. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its questioning and rather startled gaze. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. ventilator." pressing in one house as in another. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose any." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are whereabouts. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Of what day?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "The landlord of the Alpha." help us in this matter." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've system of imprisonment?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than are windows in it, of course?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. window when the police appeared." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'I have heard so.' "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest money should be paid at once.' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. house for five minutes.' north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "It was an hour's good drive." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Two days later this same performance was gone through under You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "And how did he make his money?" are, I think, all that we need." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting posted to-day." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel standing smiling on the door-step. himself to hunt down. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "His face fell immediately. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question the date of his supposed suicide." photograph a cabinet?" "It surprised me." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly might have a private word with us. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Yes, it was twisted." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "It is no ordinary one." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Yes." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love bears upon the case?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when perplexity from it to my illustrious client. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent meanly of me." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "In heaven's name, what for?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he situation." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'I have already given you my word.' murdered man." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the standing smiling on the door-step. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'What then?' I asked. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the as noiselessly as she had come. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "How many? I don't know." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "What will you do, then?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I cannot tell." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, delirious. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it that threaten you."