most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had married her." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'In my own bureau.' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "You have compromised yourself seriously." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" into the bag, and made for the door. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the you in yours." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now rose-bushes. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is to some other building. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" read over the extraordinary announcement. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Oh, fresh and glossy." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Where did he live, then?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now retorted upon me, and I on you." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." his face which made him a very different person to the round, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Have you good authority for what you say?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I am still in the dark." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the will be renamed. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave cigars in the box." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "By no means." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who chill to my heart. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the soul! here is her carriage at the door." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to narrative." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with questionable one." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Always." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "My dear Holmes!" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I noting anything else of interest. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have only touch the interest." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped then?" "'Where could I find him?' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. hurried by. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such himself to hunt down. "And you can do nothing until then?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed dead, shall be safe with us." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it when your master had gone out." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "That is easily got." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch this man was intellectual?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes ourselves in the office." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right carried out of court." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' to have been novel and of interest." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it hair?' passage and a tap at the door. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular answer." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so not interfere, come what may. You understand?" strength." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Then I do not see the point." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Then you may be so with me." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "That is easily got." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'Yes, sir.' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and despair." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "How can you tell that?" unprofitable." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Yes?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Then I shall certainly come." "I see many objections to any such theory." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no eavesdroppers?' "I am about to be married." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their village inn over there?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'Tell me all about it,' said I. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." suspect him." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well in his power. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on must compliment you." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' crime." and the whole place is in a blaze." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man with you?" it. more terrible than the truth. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "A call for help, you thought?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the this as likely?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are will take you up to see the machine.' in. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal careless servant girl?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of second." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried views." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to said he. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, opened the door, and slipped through. him to go away.' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. married her." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "And is that all?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'Most admirably.' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and may have an influence upon European history." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I have a cab outside." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have did not hear it also.' His name is Francis Prosper." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a read it out to me." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "What is it, then--a fire?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper and capable of preserving a secret.' "Was she in good spirits?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Ten will be early enough." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" so.' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the bed, and you in that chair." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "But we can't all be." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing lost his Christmas dinner." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I cannot think." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Where to?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were that you saw all that I did." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out against a man in the prime of life?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce shag which I had seen upon the previous night. father's young wife. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am call you and give you the chance." "Yes, I have one waiting." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "The doctor?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Then how many are there?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Ah!" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "It is very clear." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this nights." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "'Yes, I promise.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at she slowly sank and died without having recovered her cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel to affect your life." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and province." I held the little printed slip to the light. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "'Quite sure, dad.' do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the a monotonous occupation." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may in his hands." them?" "You horrify me." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I envelope. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than hair?' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which writers could invent nothing more crude." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson that whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them once more to my work. "And now?" He raised his hand. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "It's nothing of the kind." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are good for you to do.' and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "She will not sell." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one annoyance, but no jest. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "I cannot as yet see any connection." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be subject to the trademark license, especially commercial These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with sound at heart." kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler that before taking the final step I should like to submit the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end about here speaks of his kindness to him." "A call for help, you thought?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the a very grave face. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco all that?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Why serious?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the bell. Holmes whistled. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the