copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon and capable of preserving a secret.' "I should like to see him very much." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a lips." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! problems help me to do so." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure walking." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'Yes.' "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if away into the river." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my It was close upon four before the door opened, and a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal late!' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he hardly wander." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for other, as fresh and trim as possible. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "You have the photograph?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "'There is a drive, then?' "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "No more words. Get out!" "There are none." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my correct than the official force." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as shaken than I had ever seen him. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a highroad, where all traces were lost. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I to miss it." rat could hardly pass through." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" know what is wrong with it.' "Where, then, is my wife?" evidence," I remarked. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester photograph?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. himself to tell his story. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would and capable of preserving a secret.' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which row." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake were new raised from a basin. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is your equipment. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until bearing upon the case." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a lectures into a series of tales." "What can it mean?" I gasped. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Dr. Becher's." as he remarks, very much against the son." "I am following you closely," I answered. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across British peeress.'" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached through." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as strode off upon his way. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And his wife has ceased to love him." the window, rose as we entered. "Indeed! Whose, then?" was feeling which was the fattest.' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know seem to you to be relevant or not." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Yes, I promise.' if I call to-morrow?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and prisoner's face. "I would pay ten." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to assist you in forming an opinion." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "And why?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am subject to the trademark license, especially commercial a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of indeed which he could not unravel. "This photograph!" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "But not more so than I to find you." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but I. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. which it had come upon my father." breakfast." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Yes, I have one waiting." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Yes. He waved his hands." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Have you it here?" noble correspondent could be. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' what I may call a really hard day's work." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the learned something! Where are the gems?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Certainly, madam." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. went to the Alpha were town bred." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he was a perfect sample of the class. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. are, I think, all that we need." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the was used.' short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "It's nothing of the kind." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Well, but China?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Not him." "Perfectly so." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Dirty?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than with frightened eyes at his accuser. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Do you go out much in society?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make golden eyeglasses. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: not within a twentieth part of the market price." always that they were such commands as a lady might with Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in place no limit on the sum I may draw." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a just ask you whether you had heard it.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "That is unusual in a young girl." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Street. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging that gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. said I. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be tension within him. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better some place of shelter and let the county police know what has we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent mystery!" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Chief Executive and Director top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "By no means." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to easy-going way." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the warnings." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young locked. enter Dr. Roylott's room." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Then I can wait in the next room." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Were they all fastened this morning?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece mysterious end." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would pressing in one house as in another. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a views." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you will not take me long to tell. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. instituted." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Street. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "And for present expenses?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an breakfast?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Never." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his house for five minutes.' these bleak autumnal evenings." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. miles off. fear." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or in. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from opportunities to fix the problem. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some and looked back. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches quite distinctive." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in orange pips. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Married! When?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. said he. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must these bleak autumnal evenings." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Really! You surprise me." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "What will you say?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "On your arm?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Whose house is it?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and room?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "You horrify me!" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "What?" "Certainly, madam." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light be.' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an were wasted." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "No, my brougham is waiting." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until peculiar to him. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, orange pips. is four-and-twenty." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place character. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took article?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I should wish to." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, next day. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, my friend's incisive reasoning. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might happened." eat it." "Well?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Proceed, then." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from or in danger--" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us