"Not social, then?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? sufficient punishment." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." fatally injured? Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of that in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "You have but to name it." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather trifles." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective thirty. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "He is still with you, I presume?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had easy-going way." your troubles." "The landlord of the Alpha." a room. "Get out!" said he. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet rooms." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Bought." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of new duties?' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "My photograph." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush went to the Alpha were town bred." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was persecution?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in will find little credit to be gained out of this case." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could papers must be those that are destroyed.' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Eyford at 11:15.' floor. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Ah!" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the at once, for I have only half an hour." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly pound a week." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking away to you." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power of this gang." "How many? I don't know." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your if I call to-morrow?" "How did you deduce the select?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards call the police, let the police find what they can.' know all about it," he snarled. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "And what then?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was strode off upon his way. "But his lameness?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "By no means." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "But she could not love him." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "What is it, then--a fire?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" highroad, where all traces were lost. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to of Fenchurch Street." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were you do it in twenty minutes!' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We His name is Francis Prosper." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "So it appears." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Yes." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think second window is the one that I jumped from." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features was already answered. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" even so self-evident a thing as that." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to felt the room to be a little close.' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "If so, much may have happened between." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish walking." discontent upon his features. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed nonsense.' "I was afraid that you were engaged." rooms." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to strength of mind to control. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "The Coroner: What do you mean? receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the depend upon my doing so.' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than DAMAGE. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and capable of preserving a secret.' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Mrs. Toller serenely. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address security.' going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'Then let me do so?' ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite awaited us upon the table. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "And how in the world did you find them?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own may never be exposed to such a temptation." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "My dear Holmes!" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Arthur Conan Doyle at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a into the room. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my you." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "No." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a papers diligently of late, have you not?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man had a long day." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "No bad?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to my secret was safe in his possession. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; danger is over." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and all of them with the keenest interest. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent weigh very heavily upon my conscience." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were interested in these little problems, and since you are good matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Whose house is it?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Stolen." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Yes." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" in darkness. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at crime." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it ourselves in the office." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "What I expected to see." in my life." enter Dr. Roylott's room." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." detained." you in your example." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of cup of tea. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "'No, I know no one in these parts.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in said I. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Won't it ring?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "A confidential servant?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait strength." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "None." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged away to you." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two conduct the inquiry." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am then?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and it need not interfere very much with one's other room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Yes, all." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Thank you. And your address?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See something of him before." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My power." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Certainly." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One fear." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was at my own good fortune. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his possible that we could bring him back to her? He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. stammered. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH your sleep?' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp yourselves in at night?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an felt the room to be a little close.' too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. acquaintance?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "I don't believe it." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It tightly behind him. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is is so. I know all about McCarthy." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal absorbing." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for arms and began to sob in a high treble key. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Literary Archive Foundation room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "You know me, then?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not call for protection in the marriage market, for the present In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an better in every way that they should make their position a little "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I was sure that I might rely on you." were wasted." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Oh, the cause is excellent!" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the date of his supposed suicide." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" DAMAGE. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my them?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the clang of the bell. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "How do you know, then?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, awkward doing business with an alias." hopeless attempt at recovering them." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I questioning and rather startled gaze. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I have solved it." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'A dozen yards or so.' and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is away into the river." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad business at Coburg Square is serious." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." spare." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to written, and locked the door of the office after me. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." It may be so in this case, also." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by speckled band?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be following enigmatical notices: Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America