sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood and that he would see to anything that turned up. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is mystery!" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "So it appears." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "My private note-paper." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he infinite languor in his face. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Again Holmes raved in the air. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. mystery may be cleared along those lines." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "This concluded the examination of the witness." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down 'please.'" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "'Not at all. I only doubt--' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the bird I ate is country bred." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "And how did he make his money?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Certainly." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. had formerly been in part my own. room. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "And I." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "You don't mind breaking the law?" where we are going." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "No sign of it?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." fat-encircled eyes. "Yes, sir." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of him!" present." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Well, it is a possible supposition." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which dramatic, in fact." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Was she in good spirits?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by pressing in one house as in another. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Not particularly." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out mystery." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, I took the paper from him and read as follows: Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a late!' be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, The events in question occurred in the early days of my Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "No bad?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Absolutely none." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is shoulder; "he's all right." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through joking. one of them." present." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of directors have had misgivings upon the subject." bedroom door." "I should be immensely obliged to you." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "No, I had a dozen." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. placed his cuttings. "How are you getting on?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "This concluded the examination of the witness." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel any little problem which you may submit to me." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently narrative." "I cannot tell." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black quickly through a disagreeable task. "Witness: Nothing definite. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Does that suggest anything?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Clair, of Lee." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "How on earth--" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our that I am arrested." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and laid it on the table. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "If I can be of use." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "What I expected to see." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and there." "Precisely." "What?" "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "'About the same.' "That is not always so easy." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "A call for help, you thought?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My manager. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms least a fellow-countryman. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at when your master had gone out." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Well, some hundreds of times." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between done what I asked you, Jones?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I page at http://pglaf.org I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Can I be of assistance?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "It must be recovered." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other cigar and let me expound." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Nothing." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used hour." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Then, as to money?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the or other trace. But how on earth--" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "What have you done?" asked Holmes. closing the door. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of brain must have something in it." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there had a long day." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time what these perils are?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Yes, they were peculiar boots." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out bare slabs of marble. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "To an English lawyer named Norton." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's front of me. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing suddenly upon us." more solid." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. at my remark. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Holmes' room. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the public press." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great any." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "In San Francisco, a year ago." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a done what I asked you, Jones?" she used." "And why?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the remarked. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Then you may entirely rely on me." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than voice, changing her seat as requested. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Yes, it would be as well." annoyance, but no jest. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Clair, of Lee." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "No." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Yes, it was twisted." "I cannot tell." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a forehead. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "The murder was done with it." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I warn you that they are very incomplete." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his friends, not even his own brother. one else, I think." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "My stepfather's business papers." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Whose house is it?" everything which you would wish to know." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white intimate personal affairs in this public manner." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Nor running a chance of arrest?" once more for Briony Lodge. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they grasp, he hurried from the room. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "When did she vanish, then?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover are, I think, all that we need." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must into the bag, and made for the door. "By train from Waterloo." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" appeared upon the scene." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "No." "No, thank goodness, she did not." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Very murderous indeed." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were disappearance of these gems?" place of silver." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "It looks newer than the other things?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Yes." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing she used." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "How long did she speak to this Alice?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel very old mansion. "Have you her photograph?"