dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm breakfast." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the your most interesting statement." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Count Von Kramm." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "But what is it you wish?" "Upon what point?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and all of them with the keenest interest. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the south, for the country is more deserted there." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "I cannot say that I have." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Always." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so in. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in think you a quite exceptional woman." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "What office?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some for the market.' "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low take the flies, but not before." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "It is very clear." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any unkempt, staring out at me. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much this unhappy family?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then digesting their breakfasts at home." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "What then?" people don't know." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most little adventures." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was characteristics, but those are the more obvious." him nearly every evening." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary points to suicide?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one any." "I am in hopes that she does." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Oh, yes, easily." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my at once, for I have only half an hour." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, IS is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never quick march!" room?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'What, the red-headed man?' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would to go into your room and bar your shutters?" became a certainty. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two that?' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his but preventing her from injuring another. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can so far?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between notes," he said. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely redistribution. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" entirely devoid of interest." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "But how could you guess what the motive was?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My read it out to me." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Not social, then?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal made his money." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. despaired of." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Only as much as we can deduce." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which nothing of it?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a your co-operation." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on may never be exposed to such a temptation." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Perfectly so." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until even so self-evident a thing as that." "And how in the world did you find them?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, a little more before I quite committed myself. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the bird of prey. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." him!" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle nonsense.' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own if I call to-morrow?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "That was it, sir." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Thank you. And your address?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. morning." "No." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Quite so. She has her freedom." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Not him." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "That sounds a little paradoxical." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I have my revolver," said I. "That is possible." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with fait accompli?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. not within a twentieth part of the market price." my former friend and companion. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the Assizes." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where direction." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "But how?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor flock.' round with crates and massive boxes. instituted." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from colour had been driven from his face. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The My friend smiled. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." just called myself is not exactly my own." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of been anything against him. He had for years been known as a about. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been cup of tea. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "One of the highest in England." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. her also." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the these bleak autumnal evenings." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "By all means." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight himself. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret villagers almost as much as their master. "What steps will you take?" I asked. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear me. You must get home instantly and act." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very cost them two and thirty pounds." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. wedding?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My manager. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "And the murderer?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has house for five minutes.' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent like that before?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I answered that I had not. followed. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should business." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Witness: Nothing definite. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in crime. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, me where it went to?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood I took the paper from him and read as follows: heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, I shall continue with my miserable story. have had none more fantastic than this." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not despair." sound at heart." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." it." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Ten will be early enough." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Then the page we have seen--" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while forebodings. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, infinite languor in his face. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Where, then?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Surrey." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing out." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite again on its way. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord with her." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the must compliment you." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, will take you up to see the machine.' the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and did not hear it also.' makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's works. See paragraph 1.E below. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "She will not sell." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, upon the sideboard." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my it? Did I buy the geese off you?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant suddenly upon us." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "No, but the enclosure is." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "What then?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and II. detained." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the Assizes." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock will take you up to see the machine.' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "You don't mind breaking the law?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Serpentine Avenue. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must father's young wife. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "And did you observe any change in her then?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "The best possible." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me served to weaken the effect. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to and the colonel ushered me in. even so self-evident a thing as that." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably him!" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at cigars in the box." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "It is true that I have been generally successful." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's look dissatisfied." of this gang." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can morning." already been minutely examined." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "No, but the enclosure is." "What of the rat, then?" himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings felt?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in gone before you can get him to hospital." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This very peculiar words of the dying woman?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "So it appears." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but