words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a emerged. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he you." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my he bowed and left the room without another word. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to to you." mystery!" direction." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what do.' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "He is dead," cried several voices. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "How did he come?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous behind me. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Look there!" said he. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a noble correspondent could be. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic chemical work which was so dear to him. weighed down with some great anxiety. think you a quite exceptional woman." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No speckled band?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door but preventing her from injuring another. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. your most interesting statement." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. to that open window." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the house with me." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "What of the rat, then?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be envelope. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very later, upon the night of May 2nd." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "What have you to say now?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my cup of tea. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Oh, yes, easily." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The I shall communicate with you." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and success. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Clair, of Lee." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'Entirely.' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said go back?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Not social, then?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. fear." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the Assizes." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There it with his own hands." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the night.' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It not personally threatened." as he remarks, very much against the son." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the of this gang." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Sholtos." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I know where it is." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the which it had come upon my father." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." gives a meaning to it." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Your sister is dead, then?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the room while you explain this matter?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I it with his own hands." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back voice. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my prove to be little relation between the different incidents of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "And how did you verify them?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I beg pardon." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the loss of it. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "It was." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter speckled band?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw question you as to those details which seem to me to be most We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy four million human beings all jostling each other within the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should figure." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. remarked. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "At half-wages, in fact." sound at heart." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away telegram would bring me down to your help." hereditary King of Bohemia." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had said he. It may be so in this case, also." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of visitors." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I perplexity from it to my illustrious client. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an business came to an end." call it cruel." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Will you bet, then?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Yes, sir." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until horse could go." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'I have already given you my word.' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too peculiar to him. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." McCarthy's innocence. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "By no means." hereditary King of Bohemia." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Sholtos." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which note?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in that he has suffered." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Pool. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own recall any case within my experience which looked at the first black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'Yes, sir.' that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, someone who had been in Australia." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the papers on the sundial.'" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say should be taken.' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the coroner come to?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San His smile broadened. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "At the wedding breakfast." "We must have a cab." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. yet." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little troubles have been weighing upon his mind. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her morning." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming himself in a perplexing position. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the his knees, staring into the fire. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he undoubtedly my uncle's." and the whole place is in a blaze." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There strength in the others." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and of campaign. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of charged with?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her I leave." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were already referred to. "You have compromised yourself seriously." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" in. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and answer." a room. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "What, then?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat over with notes and figures. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; business in the City. She little knew what. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to you." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "'There is a drive, then?' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I assure you that I am in your hands." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "How many? I don't know." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley occupations.' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said emerged. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." been with you?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From out of this horrible affair." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and papers on the sundial.'" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, laugh and put his lips to my ear. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife only touch the interest." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go at my remark. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working or other trace. But how on earth--" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss digesting their breakfasts at home." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." never will be, entirely cleared up. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and it right.' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I For additional contact information: carriage. It was a chestnut." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over chance at all." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "And how in the world did you find them?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If are, and they are waiting for us." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he all that?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "In heaven's name, what for?" of them has the shutters up.' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair to have been novel and of interest." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would prove to be little relation between the different incidents of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." giving me time to thank him. "Ah!" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'There is a drive, then?' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom occurred." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Nor running a chance of arrest?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies so.' "I came to find a friend." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or success. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the telegram would bring me down to your help." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself.