least a most suspicious remark." DISSOLVED. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "No." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could certainly do as you advise." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "What are they?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an was a loud and authoritative tap. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Can I be of assistance?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Yes." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "We must have a cab." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss directors, with the result that you have seen." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "You are all wrong." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Married! When?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business particular state visit http://pglaf.org when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the morning and make my own way in the world.' "No more words. Get out!" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring purpose of examination. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the trying to your nerves." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near room. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Yes." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, acquaintance?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Sutherland?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk conduct the inquiry." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "This concluded the examination of the witness." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three like gravel from a pit.' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more gone before you can get him to hospital." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Gutenberg-tm License. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his unclasping of his long thin hands. bachelor.' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." like that before?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "We were both in the photograph." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the kindly on the shoulder. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, highly," said Holmes. "That is easily got." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, sufficient punishment." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Won't it ring?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to has little to do with my story." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "My photograph." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Absolutely none." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and than to us. forebodings. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "What do you make of that, Watson?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I cannot say that I have." strength." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be will find little credit to be gained out of this case." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the running down." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind was feeling which was the fattest.' my friend's incisive reasoning. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the best of training." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the morning." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Where, then, is my wife?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "No, but the enclosure is." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Then I do not see the point." take the flies, but not before." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his charge against him will break down." just ask you whether you had heard it.' in. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I say that I have solved it." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "You are hungry," I remarked. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for if I call to-morrow?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is ourselves in the office." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they distance from the station, and there we found the young lady third from London." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, License. You must require such a user to return or assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Where did he live, then?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that man. "Then I shall certainly come." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "The decline of his fortunes, then?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There away to you." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you habit of advancing money.' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned mysterious business." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my signal between you and your father? I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "What, then, did Peterson do?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper little trying to do so much typewriting?" the general public were present, then?" "My opinion is in no way altered." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I cannot as yet see any connection." "No, finished." "It was an hour's good drive." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with allusion to a rat. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to villagers almost as much as their master. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will nonsense.' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From security.' "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'I am sure if I had known--' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may have accepted such a situation. held up the lantern and gazed about him. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the over here." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would wall." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Certainly." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "That is unusual in a young girl." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips joking. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I never have." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the good-night and bustled off upon her way. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to plantation.' "'Oh, no.' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with appeared upon the scene." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Very truly yours, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out neither fascinating nor artistic." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "But what will you do?" stammered. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the have an American origin." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the devil!" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George would apply.' "Oh, yes, easily." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales presume?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. one of them." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Why did you pick him?" "And help." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge impression behind it as though a window had gently closed and wait." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his behind me. fluttered off among the others. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an salesman. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much to have been novel and of interest." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. outbreak?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while papers." tell him that I know him to be innocent." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but any." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of posted to-day." to-night?' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Heh?' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. was keenly on my guard against him. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to south, for the country is more deserted there." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the Red-headed League." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves could not have written that. It is the German who is so from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a your troubles." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Murdered?" "That's no good." village inn over there?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "What have you to say now?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "No, distinctly professional." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time things are very often connected not with the larger but with the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "We must have a cab." said I. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." upon the sideboard." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of views." into the bag, and made for the door. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in