permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one once more for Briony Lodge. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" that you saw all that I did." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a heavy and sharp instrument." Chief Executive and Director her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. intrusion of other matters." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Will you go?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Why, it's a dummy," said he. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "In answer to an advertisement." quick march!" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Stolen, then." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "None. Neville wrote those words." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Come in!" said Holmes. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the running down." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. morning." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I he. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I am following you closely," I answered. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid to-night?" I asked. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. direction." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to quite distinctive." very old mansion. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an showing my impatience. "Yes, I have one waiting." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "No, thank goodness, she did not." business?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of man. I know him from the photograph." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house matter over." "And for present expenses?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Certainly." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Then, as to money?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a What do you deduce from it?" himself in a perplexing position. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the I shall communicate with you." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under narrative." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip in a very precise fashion." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." even of instruction." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it of it with the greatest attention. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the it right.' after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not kindly on the shoulder. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" would then never go into court at all." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "About a month then." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and be there in time for your coming." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll dead, shall be safe with us." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Ah!" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "And your mother is alive?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted as the one I chose?' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up nonsense.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a over with notes and figures. "How did you trace it, then?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal upon a handsome competence. "In what way?" asked Holmes. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no business came to an end." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be triumphant cloud from his cigarette. at my own good fortune. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I three of the beryls in it, was missing. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'I have already given you my word.' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a You want to know what became of those geese?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "You are all wrong." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "None." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. you, my dear young lady?' touch that coronet?' compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "In the cells." a little more before I quite committed myself. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" enough to aid us in our search." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium for its centre. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yes." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." whereabouts. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern comes from the middle window." conceal it?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to companion. "How did you deduce the select?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, province." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what pity, because in other respects you would really have done very been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the over part of the map. "What do you read?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I should be immensely obliged to you." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low himself to tell his story. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I McCarthy." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any hour?' the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I am sure." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not what is your own theory as to what took place?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at new acquaintance to Baker Street. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to place no limit on the sum I may draw." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I will try. What is it?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "And the cigar-holder?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and the church but not where the lady lived." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And 1.F. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I a suggestive one." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "What office?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in said he. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "My dear Holmes!" "Yes." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter round with crates and massive boxes. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and questioning and rather startled gaze. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "You don't mind breaking the law?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Yes." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "And now?" He raised his hand. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' I leave." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house you understand?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to For additional contact information: "That is unusual in a young girl." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "My own seal." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's points to suicide?" depend upon my doing so.' the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." shoulder. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid once more for Briony Lodge. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever into her hand at the door and which lured her within their distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of father's place of business?" enough to aid us in our search." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of absolutely follow my advice in every respect." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were out." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'Which dealer's?' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "That is it on the dressing-table." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are legal crime." done what I asked you, Jones?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on or in danger--" shall use the carriage to-night." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I cannot think." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. fear." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." best detective that ever lived. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Then I do not see the point." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" here and I will read it to you: grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "How did he come?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the gone. the stable lane now." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I am armed." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "But she will refuse." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "And how in the world did you find them?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the iron safe, which he closed upon it. a good hundred miles off by now." "And you don't know his address?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is DAMAGE.