the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of suddenly upon us." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he assist you in forming an opinion." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "And you can do nothing until then?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a out of this horrible affair." client, rising. round and wave him away like that.' "What!" he roared. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. occupations.' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "And Miss Sutherland?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Ha! you find it so?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had unprofitable." Doctor, of the paper and the date." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who beyond words. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Pope's Court. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice character. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a so.' he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" should be taken.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his so.' "What then?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to never will be, entirely cleared up. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a DISSOLVED. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the of a light. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'Yes, it was gone.' I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived client, rising. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "We were both in the photograph." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a felt?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the window, rose as we entered. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, photograph?" round and wave him away like that.' vault. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley of the vacancies.' Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "What shall I do?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "What are they?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "It was." his grey eyes. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "It is possible." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I opened the door, and slipped through. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a written. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Yes." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told mystery!" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that morning." "In heaven's name, what for?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the situation." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "And did you observe any change in her then?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular interested in these little problems, and since you are good upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the room while you explain this matter?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a to arrive at through this?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. paper in the air. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. notes," he said. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all yet." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, notes," he said. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I should be immensely obliged to you." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. lumber-room." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of your young ladies.' I shall communicate with you." about. it right.' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it to some other building. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she rat could hardly pass through." speckled band?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a throat." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you What do you deduce from it?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "And how in the world did you find them?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Certainly, madam." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. persecution?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not o'clock is it?" "Was the window open?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you prisoner's face. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you with the outside air!" system of imprisonment?" village inn over there?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers there were one or two details which were new to me. But the disturbance in my wife." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "If so, much may have happened between." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed of Mr. Rucastle's." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "My private note-paper." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Here?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up so far?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon room had already been engaged for us. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Was she in good spirits?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of in the port of London." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "He disappeared so suddenly." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'Where to?' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We is a common subject for conversation. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my upon a handsome competence. "Yes." "Very. But will he see it?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Well, some hundreds of times." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by gone. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, was a perfect sample of the class. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she fire. You quite follow me?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the Red-headed League." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one about. second window is the one that I jumped from." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? of it with the greatest attention. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his was keenly on my guard against him. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that dramatic, in fact." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "When did she vanish, then?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little depend upon your compliance." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "It is solved." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'How far from the body?' believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I cannot tell." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good License. You must require such a user to return or lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him newspaper selections." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Whose house is it?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "In heaven's name, what for?" even of instruction." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." gbnewby@pglaf.org "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I up this clue while it is still hot." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in detained." charged with?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked head. So long, then!" been with you?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill my secret was safe in his possession. the driver. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Certainly." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of jewels which you have stolen?' to-morrow." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. horse could go." in the dead of the night?' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and past. them, and came down just as you departed. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She horse could go." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow to take care of herself." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "No good news?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "So I heard. You have him here?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'There is a drive, then?' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a this unhappy family?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. flock.' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the nonsense.' eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the coronet in his hands?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a child?' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built prove to be little relation between the different incidents of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the sufficient punishment." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "The vanishing of the lady." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the Red-headed League." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Foundation "What shall I do?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple gbnewby@pglaf.org "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point I think that I could be of assistance to you." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your more solid." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "No, my brougham is waiting." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Entirely." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "No, but the enclosure is." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly tension within him. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "My opinion is in no way altered." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. once more for Briony Lodge. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "'And the work?' you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, later, upon the night of May 2nd." excitement. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had