parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were at my remark. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "You have but to name it." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "No." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Then you may entirely rely on me." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Pray do so." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm of a light. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way sake, don't!" the stable lane now." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "No, but the enclosure is." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "What is it, then--a fire?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Why, what do you mean?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "But how?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would when you have done it." "It surprised me." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Pray let us have it, for all that." 11:15.' entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Never." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" seem to you to be relevant or not." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'Stolen!' he cried. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took and the church but not where the lady lived." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Will you bet, then?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the to tackle the facts." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. which we had just quitted. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Yes." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "An accident, I presume?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I say that I have solved it." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Very truly yours, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'Never,' said I. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting formed some opinion?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "How did you deduce the select?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'Entirely.' "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Did your wife hear all this?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of test if we have an answer to our advertisement." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. up this clue while it is still hot." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "To an end?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De opened a pocket-book and took out a note. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I was mad--insane." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "It is very kind of you." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence was a perfect sample of the class. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, coroner's jury." "You saw the ventilator, too?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'Where could I find him?' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition o'clock is it?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the coroner come to?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become late!' his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. of the way of danger. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged have not had my rubber." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible standing smiling on the door-step. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "So I am. Very much so." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Whose house is it?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'In my own bureau.' the very morning of the wedding." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the night.' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining indiscretion." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." chair. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news him." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was gone before you can get him to hospital." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to train.' were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Ha! you find it so?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Was the window open?" entirely devoid of interest." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "When did she vanish, then?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." footfalls from the street. you came in." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' answered with a sidelong glance. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had directors, with the result that you have seen." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front bore every mark of being an average commonplace British in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for them?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Come in!" said Holmes. "My opinion is in no way altered." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of sofa. This way, please!" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. for its centre. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a you give your casting vote to?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and from you?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I warn you that they are very incomplete." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, gone. "Deserted you?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step intrusion of other matters." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number eat it." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "No bad?" easy-going way." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" lumber-room." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "What have you to say now?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Proceed, then." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "That is easily got." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had you?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with little trying to do so much typewriting?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Where is it, then?" "At half-wages, in fact." detained." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and that he would see to anything that turned up. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and is worth.' reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Have you her photograph?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter have I gained?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. hands. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching where we are going." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no trifles." more solid." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, four million human beings all jostling each other within the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this know what is wrong with it.' "Holmes, the busybody!" experiences." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." instituted." questioning and rather startled gaze. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only coat-tails." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, his face. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for I have it here in my museum." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." and your relations to her." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'Ten to two.' should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Very truly yours, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than to have been novel and of interest." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I never have." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but on in his house." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Sholtos." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." my little problems." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as seem to you to be relevant or not." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us purpose equally well?" breakfast." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more late." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in presented which may be striking and bizarre without being as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the coat-tails." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who to have been novel and of interest." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Eh? What was that?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new business came to an end." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Ten will be early enough." "An enemy?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my nonsense.' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. have accepted such a situation. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, voice. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Perhaps we may make them less so." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' had picked up in the wood. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I don't believe it." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are attention." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could for its centre. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Yes, but only for you and me." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "If so, much may have happened between." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the little opening for the ventilator is." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by