Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he DISSOLVED. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the to surprise her." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir returned to France?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'In my own bureau.' "The doctor?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could searched, without anything being found which could incriminate permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "But his left-handedness." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke emerged. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that You want to know what became of those geese?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger weary and pale-looking. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "A call for help, you thought?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, know what is wrong with it.' see me here to avoid scandal." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare views." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of answer." clang of the bell. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "But how will you look?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora never came back." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel walking." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his a monotonous occupation." you for a few hours?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I should be immensely obliged to you." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Where did you address your letters, then?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Here?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Yes, sir." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while I shall continue with my miserable story. there in twenty minutes." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" what these perils are?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the general public were present, then?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong if only as a check to my own memory." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts in his power. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was true." "No, but the enclosure is." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and wait." "Well?" "I will do it." the matter?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'A dozen yards or so.' but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Well?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had should be so warm over such a trifle." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own started for the Temple to see my husband. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had main points of my analysis." outside. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "To an end?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "It surprised me." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "What! Had he lost his wife?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. congenial hunt. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at You want to know what became of those geese?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Yes." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and have an American origin." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked but preventing her from injuring another. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "BALLARAT." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the matter." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Yes, sir." unkempt, staring out at me. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Pope's Court, Fleet Street." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "But I have heard all that you have heard." His smile broadened. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "The Cedars?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Was the window open?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB address. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. charged with?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Pope's Court. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Then I can wait in the next room." call the police, let the police find what they can.' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But joking. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Upon what point?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic is now desirous of getting those letters back." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. hand, madam?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "It came here." "Won't it ring?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "You'll never persuade me to believe that." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. think you a quite exceptional woman." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." with you alone." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back chambers. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with and your relations to her." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "You have but to name it." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to been deceived." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "The landlord of the Alpha." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which at a side door. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Then I shall certainly come." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from tapping his fingers upon the table. business at Coburg Square is serious." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in few hundred pounds.' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would particular state visit http://pglaf.org "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies this man was intellectual?" upon the shelf for the interim." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it in the dead of the night?' I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She conduct the inquiry." go from here to the Strand." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic developed." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Leadenhall Street--and--" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." pierced for earrings?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an him nearly every evening." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Pool. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "You are all wrong." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, evidence," I remarked. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to father's place of business?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his photograph a cabinet?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had British peeress.'" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was how narrow had been my escape. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "I do." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "In San Francisco, a year ago." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have there is a decided draught." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case some mystery and the punishment of some crime." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Of what?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his your most interesting statement." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and States. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Always." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "But you can know nothing of this?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "That was it, sir." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I guessed as much." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "And how in the world did you find them?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny ways including including checks, online payments and credit card upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the Red-headed League." appeared upon the scene." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" shoulder. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." For additional contact information: hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" had a long day." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor to-night?' glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "And I say east," said my patient. your only hope of safety." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police I have it here in my museum." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Street. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "And what then?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over is now desirous of getting those letters back." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other door?" "I am about to be married." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of laugh and put his lips to my ear. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to that you can jump it.' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my always that they were such commands as a lady might with Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and files of the old papers, following the future career of every like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his as he folded up the epistle. tension within him. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had helping a boy to put up the shutters. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the his face. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have heavily into it. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down