you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one him." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Never." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that companion imperturbably. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'Oh, no.' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the devil!" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Very good.' dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the bears upon the case?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "On your arm?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. again." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" chambers. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, three fields round his house, and there he would take his lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. place no limit on the sum I may draw." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible started for the Temple to see my husband. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our throat." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of at my own good fortune. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' constraint." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "By no means." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the Red-headed League." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the south-west, I see." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Nothing." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "And Irene Adler?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." photograph a cabinet?" "And help." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at lumber-room." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "The best possible." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, bonnet, and went out." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the one as in the other." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "9th. McCauley cleared. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Sutherland. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself disappearance of these gems?" imbecility!" he cried. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Did you observe the colour?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I held the little printed slip to the light. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Upon what point?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "There are none." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "The King of Scandinavia." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "And how?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Street. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning all?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and south, for the country is more deserted there." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will in this way: "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "But it has twice been burgled." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Come in!" said Holmes. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting chance at all." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the said I. brandy and water within his reach. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Doctor, of the paper and the date." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" that there was nothing in it, after all." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with had a long day." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Ample." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the fled together." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she arrested. You then--" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin thin, with a long, sharp nose?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Ample." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, asked. papers must be those that are destroyed.' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and but preventing her from injuring another. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers his huge brown hands. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as one of them." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "But who is he?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "On Monday." his cane at the bell-pull. "'Ten to two.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes his grey eyes. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "He is still with you, I presume?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will him and tried to hold him back. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo voice. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Yes, he did." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Cross for the Continent." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I beg pardon." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; himself to tell his story. window when the police appeared." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so What do you deduce from it?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every on in his house." fear." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the words came to my lips. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "And Miss Sutherland?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Murdered?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with gone before you can get him to hospital." "What then?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "And who is her maid?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Yes." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." a suggestive one." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. both be extremely obliged.' all?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had despaired of." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Proceed, then." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of together. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "From his hat?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I know where it is." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my ashen face. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "No more words. Get out!" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, strong reason behind." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered know all about it," he snarled. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so undoubtedly my uncle's." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was relief. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and other, as fresh and trim as possible. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "It is possible." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side outside." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and capable of preserving a secret.' chance at all." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the to-night's adventure." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were exactly what you advise." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady had formerly been in part my own. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. yourselves in at night?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was Where does the thing come from?' affair. "But his left-handedness." bird I ate is country bred." "You did not overhear what they said?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently go--none." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he his eyes and forehead. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Yes, from Horsham." "The landlord of the Alpha." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he The telegram which we eventually received came late one night heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Certainly." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "10th. John Swain cleared. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage I think that I could be of assistance to you." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Dark enough and sinister enough." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will see a sister of mine apply for." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without once more for Briony Lodge. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked chambers. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a most interesting one." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle disappearance of these gems?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "What I expected to see." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both disturbance in my wife." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "When did it break out?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I came to find a friend." "Yes, certainly." Literary Archive Foundation "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, imbecility!" he cried. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so