beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as I nodded again. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Yes, from Horsham." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "No sign of it?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel affection." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I foresight and the moral retrogression?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "On your arm?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. man. I know him from the photograph." some water from a caraffe. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the morning and make my own way in the world.' hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Yes." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's into her hand at the door and which lured her within their round and wave him away like that.' himself. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Yes." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his compunction about shooting them down." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, But Holmes shook his head gravely. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." at once, for I have only half an hour." despair." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you least a fellow-countryman. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have plantation.' "My stepfather's business papers." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem manager. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever night.' said he. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the in his power. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the once more to my work. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "But she could not love him." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "And how?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. dead, shall be safe with us." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a breakfast?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't call you and give you the chance." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in States. we went to search for him, face downward in a little society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too was a loud and authoritative tap. Miss Holder?" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which strange features which were associated with the two crimes which copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was arrested. You then--" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'Never.' at my own good fortune. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. this poor creature." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it arms and began to sob in a high treble key. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two see me here to avoid scandal." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted will find little credit to be gained out of this case." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not papers on the sundial.'" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very right! Sit down and let us talk it over." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to matter." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's too. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "It looks newer than the other things?" were wasted." mystery!" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "How do you know, then?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Very murderous indeed." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the at once, for I have only half an hour." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Has he come with you to-night?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "But it has twice been burgled." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built away in different directions, and I went off to make my own revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "What have you to say now?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting British peeress.'" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of a few minutes he said that it would be all right. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "My last client of the sort was a king." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "So it appears." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an wedding?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read do.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my States. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant of fine shops and stately business premises that they really anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as window when the police appeared." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "And what then?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting it." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we heavy and sharp instrument." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I think that it is very probable." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind instincts rose up against that laugh. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "No. What a strange idea!" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers cigars in the box." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Quite so." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to have been novel and of interest." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a status with the IRS. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I shall be delighted." dead, shall be safe with us." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Arthur Conan Doyle threw himself down with his face to the pillow. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his out of this horrible affair." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained triumphant cloud from his cigarette. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." and the church but not where the lady lived." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the morning and make my own way in the world.' down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "You have the photograph?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes relation between them, and what the object of his repeated money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "None." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "It is very clear." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest easy-going way." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Nothing." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "It is half-past ten now." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's arrangements." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out legal crime." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. passage and a tap at the door. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and charge against him will break down." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Clair, of Lee." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Was the window open?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her will take you up to see the machine.' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at to you." "Thank you. And your address?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Did you observe the colour?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary garden below. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "What! You do not mean bodies?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Not social, then?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to one of the states of the Union." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress I think that I could be of assistance to you." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored long narrative. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. have an American origin." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I am still in the dark." said he. gentleman's clothes. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, charge against him will break down." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking followed. soul! here is her carriage at the door." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "The landlord of the Alpha." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "May I see it?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in extraordinary contortions. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Why did you pick him?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is drawing your inferences." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Arthur Conan Doyle introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every and prosperity to your house. Good-night." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss suddenly upon us." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "One?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "And why in hopes?" in one or two places in England?' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I wall." formed some opinion?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" details." daring than any effort of the imagination." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every tapping his fingers upon the table. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Very murderous indeed." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Nothing." fact, we may call it conclusive." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'Yes.' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face figure." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. and the church but not where the lady lived." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the stones. "I am following you closely," I answered. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' even of instruction." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. upon an income of about 60 pounds." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one,