gone before you can get him to hospital." "How did that help you?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Project Gutenberg-tm works. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Have you her photograph?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I fear not." and the whole place is in a blaze." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "What! You do not mean bodies?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, been deceived." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to For additional contact information: into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in in his power. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Ten will be early enough." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my until night should bring an explanation. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in second window is the one that I jumped from." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as events than those which have happened in my own family." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us simple cases which are so extremely difficult." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "I cannot imagine." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "That you are never beaten." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of papers must be those that are destroyed.' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' DISSOLVED. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "An enemy?" newspaper selections." business." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Dr. Gregory B. Newby Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a locked." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is know what is wrong with it.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the questioning and rather startled gaze. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our returning from some small jollification and was making his way to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the all?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no what do you think they found in the pockets?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry or other trace. But how on earth--" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to article?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss weary and pale-looking. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached what I may call a really hard day's work." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Street. "Why? What do you mean?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Yes. He waved his hands." already been minutely examined." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "What do you make of that, Watson?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." a good hundred miles off by now." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "It is his hat." Holmes rather sternly. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "No." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a disappearance of these gems?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "The Coroner: What do you mean? places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'Yes, sir.' call you and give you the chance." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened was lame." "Nothing?" allusion to a rat. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "What, then, did Peterson do?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I fear not." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the strong and stiff." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was intimate personal affairs in this public manner." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his to-night's adventure." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and question," said Holmes, smiling. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a paper in the air. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Heh?' wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" within hail.' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Lestrade of Scotland Yard." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up to affect your life." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "You horrify me." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to do you make of it all?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who of this gang." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided danger is over." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "I beg pardon." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "What do you make of that, Watson?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him all?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, just called myself is not exactly my own." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 in the dead of the night?' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "In answer to an advertisement." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Where, then, is my wife?" manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be something of him before." "A call for help, you thought?" "And you don't know his address?" Arthur Conan Doyle yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall to have that photograph." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I answered that I had not. him!" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I I shall communicate with you." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "But you can know nothing of this?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "No sign of it?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the less than 26s. 4d. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at call the police, let the police find what they can.' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away behind me. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Holmes." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit congenial hunt. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to out." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the address that was given us in the advertisement. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the third from London." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my opportunities to fix the problem. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a voice. "Certainly." people in all walks of life. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. relief. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." handed it to him. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The not fit the lock." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read carriage. It was a chestnut." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the husband's writing, madam." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own bearing upon the case." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "One of his hands." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how what these perils are?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "And now?" He raised his hand. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Nothing?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of own family. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and back to my heart. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an ways of our fellow-men." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, may never be exposed to such a temptation." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in said I. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a out." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either visitors." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my round and wave him away like that.' "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "And now?" He raised his hand. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a returned to France?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Yes." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in most important business. It is probable that he will be away all in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I tapping his fingers upon the table. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: then?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in outside." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in that you can jump it.' "She walked into the breakfast-room." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a promised to bring home. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of hand, madam?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I of receipt of the work. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice formed some opinion?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "On your arm?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would