will be renamed. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you where we are going." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Yes." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'Ample.' plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; sit on the left-hand side of the driver." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "You are all wrong." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "There is the writing." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I towards the blaze. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never brain must have something in it." you." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "It certainly sounds feasible." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I assure you that I am in your hands." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. electronic works "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, desk. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "The vanishing of the lady." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "It is very kind of you." minor matters until to-morrow." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I saw her in conversation with her maid." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I congratulate you again." "But you have hopes?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs writers could invent nothing more crude." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "In what way?" asked Holmes. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'Which dealer's?' you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And floor. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. think you a quite exceptional woman." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "But she will refuse." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "How about poison?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "No. What a strange idea!" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "And sit in the dark?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable interests were the same as his." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." breakfast." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that like that before?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Precisely." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first started for the Temple to see my husband. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "What are they?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he where she found matters as described by the last witness. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets thought that she would have been so carried away." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional her also." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had little trying to do so much typewriting?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "It is a murder, then?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Which are?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Where, then?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "What!" he roared. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "That is easily got." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the so-precious time, but come!' "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" that I am arrested." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of hardly wander." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I will try. What is it?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "'Certainly,' I answered. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held III. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has if only as a check to my own memory." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "What do you make of that, Watson?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and in darkness. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key wedding?" long narrative. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the fat-encircled eyes. II. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of to talk it over. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too narrative." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Because he was handy and would come cheap." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who that there was nothing in it, after all." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it could gather together that I was able to avert another public adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and a shock of very red hair. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." south, for the country is more deserted there." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "How often?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." sooner or later she must fall a victim. upon the white wrist. forehead. most interesting one." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "To the police?" call it cruel." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "And how did he make his money?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the indiscretion." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: very peculiar words of the dying woman?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. grasp, he hurried from the room. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the Lee, in the county of Kent." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the Friday. Was it to be in church?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing noting anything else of interest. did not hear it also.' varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong foresight and the moral retrogression?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "No." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Come in!" said Holmes. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some if I call to-morrow?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with suspect him." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, followed. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem knowledge of the world." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. whole matter to your consideration." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from questionable one." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "It goes to the housekeeper's room." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the general public were present, then?" "Ha! you find it so?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "One of the highest in England." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the prison!" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "The Cedars?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill forehead. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a tear off another piece?' faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some my room." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be said he at last. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "In the cells." "And how?" waste of energy." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest tear off another piece?' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "What of the rat, then?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Yes?" unclasping of his long thin hands. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have his face which made him a very different person to the round, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, row." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he in him." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in and glanced through. your bag." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, is four-and-twenty." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "What can it mean?" I gasped. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "It is half-past ten now." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Sutherland?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I one which it was hard to resist. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the morning." excitement. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little would apply.' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes there is a decided draught." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a himself to tell his story. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the morning." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "You think so, too?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in