fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'It is locked up,' I answered. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in I have it here in my museum." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'Not at all. I only doubt--' gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been just ask you whether you had heard it.' my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "The knees of his trousers." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her ceremony." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Married! When?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had carried out of court." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole nice household for a young lady." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set becomes even more simple." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across wedding?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in as he remarks, very much against the son." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for weary and pale-looking. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence nights." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a once more for Briony Lodge. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any sneer upon his pale face. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." matters immensely." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Indeed! Whose, then?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you fled together." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel there were so many in the whole country as were brought together suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "That is unusual in a young girl." "'Never.' that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Then how many are there?" whole matter to your consideration." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "In the cells." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We guilty one." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Yes." shaken than I had ever seen him. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the armchair which I pushed forward for him. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "My dear Holmes!" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I cannot tell." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "It is true that I have been generally successful." strength." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. come either from the window or the door. My attention was repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at of it with the greatest attention. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Here?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we matters immensely." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a tension within him. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he make me his representative both with the servants and with the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency down in his armchair and closing his eyes. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the his face. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I will do it." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or whereabouts. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as upon a handsome competence. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a I was concerned in it." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "We have tried and failed." back into the street. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I was afraid that you were engaged." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'Ten to two.' said I. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right wedding?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, chemical work which was so dear to him. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" congratulate you again." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Where is it, then?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of me have 200 pounds?' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "In what way?" asked Holmes. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was is so. I know all about McCarthy." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." affection." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing with frightened eyes at his accuser. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous asked. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise character. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been pity, because in other respects you would really have done very usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended McCarthy." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "At the wedding breakfast." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I think you a quite exceptional woman." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "And you don't know his address?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from and effective." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Yes, only one." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the coroner come to?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her believe that I should never have any practice at all. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Yes, all." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Then how many are there?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it breakfast?" "The gentleman I describe." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'And what salary do you ask?' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." points to suicide?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "It must be recovered." orange pips. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. http://www.gutenberg.net "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." next day. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this arms and began to sob in a high treble key. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Yes." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "No more words. Get out!" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing power." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Never." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the go back?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and entirely devoid of interest." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Then, as to money?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us to a more successful conclusion." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between I nodded again. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "What! You do not mean bodies?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was see a sister of mine apply for." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, later, upon the night of May 2nd." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten to affect your life." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about I think that I could be of assistance to you." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon to you." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can heavily into it. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the to talk it over. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Not in the least." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over indeed which he could not unravel. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in foresight and the moral retrogression?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of most interesting one." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were companion. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her an introduction to him?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" remarked. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. chance." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, six. Come in!" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Eyford." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as them, and came down just as you departed. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "None." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on hopeless attempt at recovering them." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. http://gutenberg.net/license). "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend companion quietly. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'A dozen yards or so.' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and capable of preserving a secret.' "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's ill-usage at the hands of fortune. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he extraordinary contortions. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Street. you give your casting vote to?" "Pray do so." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' down from London to inquire more deeply into it." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to was the fact that his father should, according to his account, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had money should be paid at once.' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one outsides of the windows. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed companion. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me."