broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "But he might be a bachelor." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I beg pardon." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "What! You do not mean bodies?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Witness: Nothing definite. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Then how many are there?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "No, I think that I'll take it." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had matter over." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother of fine shops and stately business premises that they really spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "When did it break out?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which gbnewby@pglaf.org its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly floor. "Perhaps we may make them less so." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Certainly,' I answered. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "What! Had he lost his wife?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'Tell me all about it,' said I. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "This photograph!" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital woven round him. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Yes." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." approach us with offers to donate. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It them present such singular features as the strange train of despair." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "And what then?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Murdered?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the dangers which encompass me." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. out of this horrible affair." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the have an American origin." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "What! Had he lost his wife?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "What is it, then--a fire?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "It looks newer than the other things?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'Where to?' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of http://www.gutenberg.net excitement. through." the warnings." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very colour had been driven from his face. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "It is his hat." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most knowledge of the world." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and learned something! Where are the gems?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here strength in the others." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are bonnet, and went out." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, least a most suspicious remark." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, past. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, evidence," I remarked. yet." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the ceiling. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of father's place of business?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." that I can to serve you." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into forecastle of an emigrant ship. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without that you wished to speak to me?' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'Most admirably.' "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord spark where all is dark to me." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he call it cruel." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "But you would not advise me to refuse?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Yes. He waved his hands." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Yes." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the inquest, and which are worth considering." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "And you can do nothing until then?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure he. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the coroner come to?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his to affect your life." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I think that it is very probable." most interesting one." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Cross for the Continent." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent her also." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very behind me. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Then you may entirely rely on me." "And how in the world did you find them?" "The King of Scandinavia." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., entirely lost his self-respect." and that he would see to anything that turned up. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Was your sister dressed?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in presented more singular features than that which was associated "He slept on the premises." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "You horrify me." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. several quiet little villages up there." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the lost nothing by them." "Yes, sir." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for congenial hunt. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Here?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? nothing of it?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into them present such singular features as the strange train of "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be do.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: may never be exposed to such a temptation." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang nothing with him." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, him and tried to hold him back. "My own seal." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence fact, we may call it conclusive." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "It must be recovered." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. speckled band?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of carried out of court." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he some terrible trap for her." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, again, where I was soon asleep. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" trying to your nerves." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! power." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has works. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Dirty?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, he. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "In San Francisco, a year ago." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" that he has suffered." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, which it had come upon my father." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Dr. Gregory B. Newby about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the believe that I should never have any practice at all. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Very truly yours, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, of them has the shutters up.' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and that "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "No sign of it?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "No, I am descending." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able singular points about the case. What did the police think of the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped without a word or a look. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with without success. At last the little money which I had saved began hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "That is it on the dressing-table." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, whatever might befall. how narrow had been my escape. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'Never,' said I. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." do." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There and capable of preserving a secret.' I nodded again. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a ceremony." never came back." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. fact, we may call it conclusive." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old new acquaintance to Baker Street. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria national property. I was determined that the law should have its and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most his face which made him a very different person to the round, his face. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try that the gas is not laid on in his house?"