man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "What?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and a shock of very red hair. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was already referred to. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from said he. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For The police have openly confessed that they can at present make request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. your room." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I I shall continue with my miserable story. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own he bowed and left the room without another word. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Then, how do you know?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Yes." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "None." "I cannot tell." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily present." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me investigation." The summons was a brief and urgent one. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." foot. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a some terrible trap for her." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, prisoner's face. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I held the little printed slip to the light. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the strode off upon his way. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time past. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they lamp. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to indeed which he could not unravel. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would meant." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right telegram would bring me down to your help." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak have one." "'What, the red-headed man?' easy-going way." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'Certainly,' I answered. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "What then?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will deduce something from that?" man. had a long day." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "What! a murderous attack?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses searched, without anything being found which could incriminate money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average clanging. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'In my own bureau.' "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I think it very unlikely." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." over with notes and figures. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Your French gold?" "And is that all?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was plantation.' have accepted such a situation. became a certainty. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was written. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he been with you?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater had a long day." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the goes." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I cannot say that I have." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as society." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such ways including including checks, online payments and credit card have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round into the room. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it as this. Pray let me have the details." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off roused himself from his reverie. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. noting anything else of interest. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would little adventures." Holmes' room. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very have I gained?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as definite end. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel I am not easy in my mind about them." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'What are you doing there?' he asked. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for again." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a breakfast." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do appointment with me for six o'clock?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my points to suicide?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. sound at heart." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the room while you explain this matter?" him to go away.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a examine." showing my impatience. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the quick march!" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "The Cedars?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Doctor, of the paper and the date." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which matter." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded sooner or later she must fall a victim. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "But I am all in the dark." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Precisely so. But how--" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than sit on the left-hand side of the driver." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I cannot imagine." "I answered that I had not. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I you." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner something of him before." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'No, I know no one in these parts.' suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was fuss that is made over them." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and business came to an end." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Why, it's a dummy," said he. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had for securing the situation." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "You did not overhear what they said?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. obstinate." meanly of me." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "It missed him, then?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "That's no good." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up IS matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. thirty. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I see many objections to any such theory." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "And the murderer?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers remarked. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and married her." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly think you a quite exceptional woman." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by hurried away. "I do." "The knees of his trousers." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project anything to do with the matter?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing ceremony." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in new duties?' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "It's nothing of the kind." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the business?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official always that they were such commands as a lady might with a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his strength in the others." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "By no means." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "That is unusual in a young girl." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, views." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "And your father? Did you tell him?" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could bell. Holmes whistled. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Has he come with you to-night?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. never came back." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client head. So long, then!" possible that we could bring him back to her? buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves you understand?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' best detective that ever lived. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. for its centre. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." grasp, he hurried from the room. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'And the work?' "But you can know nothing of this?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled to change my dress. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." public press." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Not in a good cause." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we me. of campaign. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "And did you observe any change in her then?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the south-west, I see." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the so-precious time, but come!' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. bled considerably." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Thank you. Pray proceed." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, a monotonous occupation." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear you?' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to himself to hunt down. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to if I call to-morrow?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. papers diligently of late, have you not?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by child?' "And how did he make his money?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow with the outside air!" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. thought that she would have been so carried away." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'Never.' which should have the effect of calling the attention of the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most