importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I cannot imagine." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. envelope. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. and wait." "None." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At to-morrow." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and in my life." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in James Windibank. Voilà tout!" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Leave Paddington by the 11:15." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself him!" it." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." side. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the standing smiling on the door-step. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my for securing the situation." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "He might." "'Yes, sir.' violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I am to be neutral?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit burst into a hearty fit of laughter. some terrible trap for her." bird of prey. strength of mind to control. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Just look it up, then." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear presented more singular features than that which was associated the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became lips." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." there is a decided draught." the best of training." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Why serious?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for get her out of the way." what these perils are?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the that there was nothing in it, after all." "Dirty?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "It is possible." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in everything which you would wish to know." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of get the tickets." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I am still in the dark." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after garden below. new duties?' "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he constraint." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Won't it ring?" outside. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I shall be delighted." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "No good news?" empty. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Well?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Entirely." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'As governess?' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family like gravel from a pit.' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "But I am all in the dark." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some writers could invent nothing more crude." she used." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "But how did you gain them?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be voice, changing her seat as requested. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I don't say that. Perhaps." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Yes, at the mines." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "'Very good.' minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could and put his glass in his pocket. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar himself to tell his story. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should writing, and yet I know it well." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near wedding?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and in. "What will you do, then?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Foundation direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "No legal papers or certificates?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the remarked. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the with some details as to your case." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good manager. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "What then?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of main points of my analysis." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Yes, sir." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed crackling voice. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass your bag." "Never." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment made his money." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Murdered?" gives a meaning to it." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I never have." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger chamber." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us call you and give you the chance." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an I am not easy in my mind about them." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one one's self under obligations.' blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Not in the least." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I cannot imagine." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I will do it." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential this man was intellectual?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue conversation I have gathered that they have been married about from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Ha! you find it so?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and that he would see to anything that turned up. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to troubles have been weighing upon his mind. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with stammered. mystery may be cleared along those lines." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Yes?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Where did he live, then?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the as yours." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Quite so." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "And it is--" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Ten to two.' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and I shall be with you presently." to talk it over. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking crime." Eyford." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the breakfast?" pound a week." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, is worth.' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his most important business. It is probable that he will be away all been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the gbnewby@pglaf.org "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." John Swain, of St. Augustine. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I daring than any effort of the imagination." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg during which he might have communicated with his friend the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his empty. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Absolutely?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack such person." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and may never be exposed to such a temptation." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Pool. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "But of what society?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that matter." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Henry Baker is a member." copied or distributed: "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was your bag." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I during which he might have communicated with his friend the know what is wrong with it.' fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "She will not sell." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat been." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the bottom.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "What is it?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying always that they were such commands as a lady might with by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn again, where I was soon asleep. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "We were both in the photograph." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working has little to do with my story." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, behind me. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, fact, we may call it conclusive." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I invisible to me," I remarked. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his them, and came down just as you departed. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some should be so warm over such a trifle." "I cannot think." hand, madam?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "The Coroner: What do you mean? 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been desk. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern