Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a which was all perfectly true. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue train from Paddington which would bring you there at about of note-paper. It read in this fashion: fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "And now?" I asked. is," said he presently: he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was such attractions and accomplishments?' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Frequently." occupations.' the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "He might." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned cigars in the box." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive everything which you would wish to know." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church business matters.' and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Nothing?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw clanging. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love in the hope of finding them." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be make me his representative both with the servants and with the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found looking up at the numbers of the houses." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Were they all fastened this morning?" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the these bleak autumnal evenings." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could paper in the air. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "It is no ordinary one." Watson," he said cordially. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing recover the gem." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. served to weaken the effect. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Why did you beat the pavement?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out for its centre. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it instituted." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Certainly." London for the present?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Yes, sir." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "A client, then?" in this way: harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a it." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or something of him before." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me that there was nothing in it, after all." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to congratulate you again." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Chief Executive and Director the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly into the bag, and made for the door. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to believe that I should never have any practice at all. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "If I can be of use." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Heh?' the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'Then let me do so?' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding fat-encircled eyes. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Stoke Moran." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project very morning of my second wedding." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the driver. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a For additional contact information: "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing whole matter to your consideration." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other his eyes and forehead. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a nights." few hundred pounds.' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could made him keep the appointment." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "It is very clear." "But his left-handedness." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of been able to understand it, in a very few words. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he that there was nothing in it, after all." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Well?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, man. I know him from the photograph." "Very much so." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "My last client of the sort was a king." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Holmes. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the gentleman's clothes. "Perfectly so." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction was a lad." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I horse could go." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Cross for the Continent." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the question," said Holmes, smiling. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, jewels which you have stolen?' are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Holmes' face clouded over. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up front of me. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the even so self-evident a thing as that." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for giving me time to thank him. followed. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Nothing." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy crackling voice. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick felt?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his to some other building. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'Never,' said I. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such off." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but likely to be some crony of the landlady's." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." people don't know." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I think that it is very probable." waste of energy." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had believe that I should never have any practice at all. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was strode off upon his way. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "But I am all in the dark." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Yes, there are nearly always some there." I shall continue with my miserable story. "You are hungry," I remarked. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well whatever might befall. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Heh?' "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Pope's Court. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important this remarkable episode. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." very old mansion. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and definite end. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from in my life." against a man in the prime of life?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the awkward doing business with an alias." noble correspondent could be. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "But how will you look?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "It's nothing of the kind." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier have not had my rubber." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall What do you deduce from it?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of strength of mind to control. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found fishes. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare in a very precise fashion." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "But I have heard all that you have heard." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the residence of the great financier. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones is worth.' severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our kindly on the shoulder. bird of prey. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "He disappeared so suddenly." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. that he has suffered." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself you came in." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "You don't mind breaking the law?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Heh?' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most be best to do. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding