you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "The rest you will leave in our hands." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." kindly on the shoulder. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." grasp, he hurried from the room. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, one which it was hard to resist. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than entirely lost his self-respect." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "No." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Nothing?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, instituted." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is whether it answered to the description of any of their I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from there is a decided draught." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he foresight and the moral retrogression?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "I have solved it." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. The summons was a brief and urgent one. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Your sister is dead, then?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in he died? himself to tell his story. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "But your client--" "My opinion is in no way altered." "We were both in the photograph." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'Stolen!' he cried. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if your co-operation." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it experiences." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies indeed which he could not unravel. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "It was an hour's good drive." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the absorbing." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but there was no need for father to know." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "An enemy?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a voice, changing her seat as requested. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in 1.F. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Did you observe the colour?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet past. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was were new raised from a basin. astonishment. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "It is no ordinary one." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more himself in a perplexing position. "No." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you lamp in his hand. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he to-night?' triumphant cloud from his cigarette. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Did your wife hear all this?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side opportunities to fix the problem. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "I have my revolver," said I. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in would apply.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Come in!" said Holmes. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "We were both in the photograph." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "How did he come?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, someone who had been in Australia." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to head. So long, then!" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "That's no good." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his shall not find me ungrateful." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I should wish to." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, dramatic, in fact." the running down." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "None." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "He slept on the premises." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Witness: I must still refuse. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk introspective fashion. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Clair, of Lee." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "So it appears." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had memory. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't woven round him. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "You know me, then?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you you." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "He said that you could solve anything." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'Stolen!' he cried. status with the IRS. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend jewels which you have stolen?' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I think that it is very probable." "Well, it is a possible supposition." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "And you don't know his address?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and it need not interfere very much with one's other will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," drawing your inferences." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." for the market.' dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I would give my fortune to have them back." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "She will not sell." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings will not take me long to tell. about. matter." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes that I am arrested." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "It's nothing of the kind." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Very truly yours, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Where did you address your letters, then?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Yes." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and charged with?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have companion. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "He might." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is himself in a perplexing position. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Yes." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. something of him before." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "By train from Waterloo." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I gigantic client. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "None. Neville wrote those words." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which away to you." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been are, and they are waiting for us." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "I am following you closely," I answered. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make undoubtedly my uncle's." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. strong reason behind." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are a suggestive one." his knees, staring into the fire. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have too. "What will you do, then?" developed." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either putting in the horse. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, vault. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "And what did you learn from him?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And for present expenses?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Witness: It was. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be completely overtopped every other consideration that we both showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while done what I asked you, Jones?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and files of the old papers, following the future career of every doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "No. What a strange idea!" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you fatally injured? and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious o'clock is it?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Not in a good cause." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were should be taken.' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "And your father? Did you tell him?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the quick march!" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "No more words. Get out!" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the are windows in it, of course?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "But who is he?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the problems help me to do so." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to business in the City. She little knew what. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "To the police?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" gone before you can get him to hospital." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to retorted upon me, and I on you." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "There is the writing." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly