saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read awaited us upon the table. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'I am sure if I had known--' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." present." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, man. I know him from the photograph." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Two days later this same performance was gone through under was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears is a common subject for conversation. the coroner come to?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." them, and came down just as you departed. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy photograph?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. writing, and yet I know it well." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. astonishment. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, spark where all is dark to me." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Your French gold?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Has he come with you to-night?" "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just that you saw all that I did." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up brought there to personate someone, and the real person is elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Very. But will he see it?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that if I call to-morrow?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting footfalls from the street. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "No, but the enclosure is." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very them, and came down just as you departed. whether it answered to the description of any of their "Never." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own of this gang." indeed which he could not unravel. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, details." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day in. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom occurred." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which something of him before." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the coroner come to?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been could not have written that. It is the German who is so bird I ate is country bred." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such help us in this matter." must be when I saw the door open.' any little problem which you may submit to me." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the affair. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Nearly eleven." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's what do you think they found in the pockets?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Precisely." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Street. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Precisely." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "You have compromised yourself seriously." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We held up the lantern and gazed about him. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you nonsense.' glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but test if we have an answer to our advertisement." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "One of the highest in England." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "But you were on a friendly footing?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Then I shall certainly come." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion advice." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "What!" he roared. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very closing the door. drove away. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." see me here to avoid scandal." be there in time for your coming." the south-west, I see." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "But his left-handedness." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up would apply.' "How on earth--" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months writer." not, dad?" she asked. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture me upon any point which I do not make clear." excitement. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. our word." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I think it very unlikely." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her hair?' dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" awaited us upon the table. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for only touch the interest." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the foot. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how occurred." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I beg that you will break it off." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to I shall communicate with you." "Where did you address your letters, then?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some be best to do. "At the wedding breakfast." me." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "What will you say?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Your sister is dead, then?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Not particularly." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Yes." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, hair?' "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "My Mary? Impossible!" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." sake, don't!" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." fear." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done recover the gem." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform situation." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a it means?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her words came to my lips. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle should be so warm over such a trifle." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your shall use the carriage to-night." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Really! You surprise me." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the train.' "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to works. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I cannot imagine." "But to whom?" empty. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I say it is." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a this man was intellectual?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is confronted him. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our careless servant girl?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you chance at all." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." long narrative. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and inquire as to the address." easy-going way." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no morning." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: been." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & know what is wrong with it.' fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "ARAT," I read. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Can I be of assistance?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I say it is." and no precautions can guard against." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could skylight. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'About the same.' as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing easy-going way." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Eh? What was that?" you." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'In my own bureau.' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in business." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that key turn in the lock." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him as this. Pray let me have the details." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases fishes. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in prepare for the new role I have to play." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." redistribution. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Nothing?" towards the blaze. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'What then?' I asked. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from me what he had done with the three missing stones. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "By no means." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when weapon." maiden herself was most instructive." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, too. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Pray do so." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper British peeress.'" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." that I can to serve you." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my