"Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. introspective fashion. people in all walks of life. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "And Miss Sutherland?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Yes, sir." what these perils are?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds dates and names. "You horrify me." following enigmatical notices: "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the really the only notable feature about the thing." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "But you have hopes?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley works. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Pope's Court. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "He is still with you, I presume?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more American. Then who could this American be, and why should he never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is matter over." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at 1.F. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Why serious?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter ways of our fellow-men." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I do." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "It's nothing of the kind." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Precisely so. But how--" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in learned something! Where are the gems?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to went to the Alpha were town bred." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see electronic works The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "May I see it?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was it were putty." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I was certainly surprised to find you there." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, yourselves in at night?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "But we can't all be." could go. "But how will you look?" Pope's Court. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a success. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that that he will be back before evening." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' together. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "No." shall use the carriage to-night." you?' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes matter over." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already I was concerned in it." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' one of the states of the Union." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. what I may call a really hard day's work." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Holmes. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "And how?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm His smile broadened. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a derbies." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter awaited us upon the table. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Nearly eleven." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "My photograph." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "What! Had he lost his wife?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "It may not come to that," said Holmes. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the way in everything. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some could go. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was tapping his fingers upon the table. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That there!' is four-and-twenty." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, shoulder; "he's all right." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "It must be recovered." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Thank you. Pray proceed." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Yes, they were peculiar boots." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better before the coroner and the police-court." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "But what is it you wish?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train in his hands." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman felt?" the Assizes." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong assist you in forming an opinion." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Ample." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the it." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "He slept on the premises." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander too. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly thirty. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Then I shall certainly come." "You did not overhear what they said?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, read over the extraordinary announcement. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Has he come with you to-night?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Nor running a chance of arrest?" October 9, 1890. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "The vanishing of the lady." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in happened." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to this Miss Turner." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the ways of our fellow-men." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in success. "It is very clear." your only hope of safety." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that http://gutenberg.net/license). until night should bring an explanation. to miss it." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and that he would see to anything that turned up. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a a suggestive one." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange redistribution. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and your relations to her." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Holmes." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "And I to find an enemy." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I am all attention, madam." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, train.' deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "But you were on a friendly footing?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the intrusion of other matters." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the window, rose as we entered. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "From his hat?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Yes. He waved his hands." the matter?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one be.' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over matter." "And is that all?" overpowering excitement and concern. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Stoke Moran?" said he. in the hope of finding them." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, disappearance of these gems?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get face and glided from the room. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "But how?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Count Von Kramm." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the iron safe, which he closed upon it. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well until night should bring an explanation. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for morning." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, three fields round his house, and there he would take his heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "You heard nothing yourself last night?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew knowledge of the world." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her guilty parties." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Then I can wait in the next room." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Miss Holder?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I was shining brightly. gone. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming ill-usage at the hands of fortune. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "But it has twice been burgled." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and appeared upon the scene."