"I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" article?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in to surprise her." "'Yes, I promise.' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Ample." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand despaired of." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my a very grave face. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of with some details as to your case." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read noting anything else of interest. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, answered with a sidelong glance. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' call the police, let the police find what they can.' remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I my secret was safe in his possession. not come at once?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in correct than the official force." "Murdered?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy impression behind it as though a window had gently closed hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this cheerful." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to imbecility!" he cried. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so and your relations to her." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "None." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Then he might have called to you?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Pray do so." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left think, you have already met." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and acquaintance?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought society." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Then the page we have seen--" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. acquaintance?" "Did your wife hear all this?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the ran thus: "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I important." noble correspondent could be. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of were new raised from a basin. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray that you can jump it.' vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white wedding?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Yes, at the mines." "Thank you. Pray proceed." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I say that I have solved it." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "When did it break out?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's opportunities to fix the problem. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and bled considerably." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and all of them with the keenest interest. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "What do you make of that, Watson?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little help us in this matter." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was as the one I chose?' the general public were present, then?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with works. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is evidence," I remarked. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get reach." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "May I see it?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet of this gang." "I came to find a friend." "'Which dealer's?' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I would pay ten." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but know all about it," he snarled. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Nor running a chance of arrest?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter my former friend and companion. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "He disappeared so suddenly." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. meant." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, late." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, dear old homesteads?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out said he. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss door?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Sholtos." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I again before evening." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "He said too much." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "You horrify me!" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "In San Francisco, a year ago." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "It missed him, then?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "No, I am descending." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of there in twenty minutes." character. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to giving me time to thank him. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well think that any burglar could have done. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "So I heard. You have him here?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into business at Coburg Square is serious." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Entirely." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a could not account in any way for the presence of the missing IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began back alive. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all held up the lantern and gazed about him. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but I. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he have I gained?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he said I. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his upon a handsome competence. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "And from a noble client?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did again before evening." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by them?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days your co-operation." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Entirely." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Foundation Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. dear old homesteads?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Then I can wait in the next room." and glanced through. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out success. there!' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small said he. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you directly by questioning you." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So into the bag, and made for the door. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Dr. Becher's." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a distinguish the words: "That also I could fathom." "You have carte blanche." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Ample." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to friend's singular character. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "What office?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps upon the shelf for the interim." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "No." that you saw all that I did." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards ways including including checks, online payments and credit card destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Why did you beat the pavement?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Then, as to money?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project purpose of examination. this remarkable episode. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I