untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a nice household for a young lady." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in anything to a woman, for she would have her way." six. Come in!" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but indeed which he could not unravel. newspaper selections." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Of Friday, June 19th." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the six. Come in!" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No there." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her to-night?" I asked. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the do." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of that, and I came down." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "He disappeared so suddenly." to have been novel and of interest." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then there in twenty minutes." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "'What then?' I asked. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, The King stared at him in amazement. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my vague figure huddled up in the darkness. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring memory. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our during which he might have communicated with his friend the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the roots. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the call it cruel." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "My dear Holmes!" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "You have compromised yourself seriously." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit and I shall be with you presently." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good congenial hunt. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," lamp. experiences." six. Come in!" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, galvanised. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. License. You must require such a user to return or your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has with her." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, child?' beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the carried out of court." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no lids now and glanced across at his visitor. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between past. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. had this final quarrel? my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking you." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Could he throw no light?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind is now desirous of getting those letters back." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant your sleep?' help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "It must be recovered." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "No, I had a dozen." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Then you may be so with me." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Sholtos." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst present." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by highroad, where all traces were lost. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately was a perfect sample of the class. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'Stolen!' he cried. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Yes, that is the Crown." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her disappearance of the bride.'" persecution?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Stolen, then." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Who was the criminal, then?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' in him." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I think that it is very probable." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Who by?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Cross for the Continent." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my mystery may be cleared along those lines." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and I shall be with you presently." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the side-table." "What are they?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was you." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems ready to-morrow?' horse could go." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His he died? "Because he was handy and would come cheap." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and to have been novel and of interest." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Then, as to money?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried success. affair. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I have my revolver," said I. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old depend upon your compliance." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Proceed, then." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'It is locked up,' I answered. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or tapping his fingers upon the table. out." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me believe that I should never have any practice at all. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "No." the ceiling. "VIOLET HUNTER." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental envelope. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Holmes' thin, eager face. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope goes." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital promised to bring home. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'What are you doing there?' he asked. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already points to suicide?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be them, and came down just as you departed. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do occurred." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "You did not overhear what they said?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon you for a few hours?" round with crates and massive boxes. "I see many objections to any such theory." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Yes, from Horsham." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove be best to do. only touch the interest." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City 'please.'" charged with?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in and I shall be with you presently." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "One of the highest in England." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I answered that I had not. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. is acting for the best. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "And you don't know his address?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. crowd. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which I shall communicate with you." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair will take you up to see the machine.' like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an to surprise her." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "The Cedars?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able presented more singular features than that which was associated "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "He said too much." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Her father is very rich?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Doctor, of the paper and the date." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the warnings." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. feature." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At round and wave him away like that.' "ARAT," I read. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had answered with a sidelong glance. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case know that the truth is known." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the gigantic client. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'Oh, no.' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it opportunities to fix the problem. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a