say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than galvanised. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with London for the present?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right quickly through a disagreeable task. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back results." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "And what did you see?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I think that I had better go, Holmes." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Clair, of Lee." "And it is--" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Not in the least." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty derbies." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which there were one or two details which were new to me. But the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking drove away. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Very truly yours, door?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "What!" he roared. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "9th. McCauley cleared. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid plantation.' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the thirty. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." like gravel from a pit.' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." to a more successful conclusion." are windows in it, of course?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days have got?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck point in the dark hollow of his hand. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now one or two very singular points about this room. For example, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Well, it is a possible supposition." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, to a light-house. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' to-night?' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and no precautions can guard against." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "'Most admirably.' they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window companion imperturbably. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just I nodded to show that I had heard. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door all?" thirty. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest be. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'What, the red-headed man?' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between nights." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Yes, that is the Crown." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the inner apartment." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, politicians who had been sent down from the North. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so ceremony." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend my former friend and companion. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and that he would see to anything that turned up. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the coronet in his hand?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, you for a few hours?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "One of his hands." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could affair. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No hardly wander." particular state visit http://pglaf.org made him keep the appointment." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and to-morrow." detained." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the occurred." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the at my remark. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as examine." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to jewels which you have stolen?' "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I would pay ten." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had orange pips. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, jewels which you have stolen?' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "And how did he make his money?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "And is that all?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Awake, Watson?" he asked. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of note?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and chamber." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating you give your casting vote to?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect relation between them, and what the object of his repeated remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became away into the river." your own bird, so if you wish--" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, astonishment. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he fashion which was peculiar to him. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, then?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and States. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Eyford at 11:15.' "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Tired-looking or fresh?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 my special province." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "The murder was done with it." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they he. very old mansion. the bed, and you in that chair." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I murdered man." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised him to go away.' whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had considering the formidable letters which were received by himself passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not few hundred pounds.' of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "How do you know, then?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the best of training." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, correct than the official force." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Then the page we have seen--" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" fled together." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric at home. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. or in danger--" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Holmes rather sternly. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not companion quietly. that he has suffered." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the her also." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "What then?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who thin, with a long, sharp nose?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. never came back." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows giving me time to thank him. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most subject to the trademark license, especially commercial his knees, staring into the fire. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Did he not advertise?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom she has been waylaid. There has been no result." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "None." "Then, how do you know?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "How about poison?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into letters?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I on re-entering her father's house?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up once more for Briony Lodge. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang that you wished to speak to me?' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Not social, then?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously arms and began to sob in a high treble key. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry than to us. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "The vanishing of the lady." and that he would see to anything that turned up. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You think so, too?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial pierced for earrings?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for think that any burglar could have done. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "I have a cab outside." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I other lovers by making love himself." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'What would be the hours?' I asked. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered ordinary clothes on?" beg that you will break it off." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this name is different." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, suddenly upon us." "'Stolen!' he cried. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself jewels which you have stolen?' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, this as likely?" your co-operation." tension within him. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the inquest, and which are worth considering." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'Is purely nominal.' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Then you may be so with me." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable you want, then?' casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even mystery may be cleared along those lines." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you have established a very serious case against the son of the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!"