is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic hair?' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and it need not interfere very much with one's other she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "I fear not." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "That was it, sir." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and father's place of business?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Won't it ring?" "Where is it, then?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "So it appears." "What of the rat, then?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "A confidential servant?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had seen the man in the road." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I am to be neutral?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "And for present expenses?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of not as remarkable as your advertisement." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for so.' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "To ruin me." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Can I be of assistance?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the tragedy. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob any more." charged with?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "They are typewritten," I remarked. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "We must sit without light. He would see it through the true." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having directors, with the result that you have seen." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "In what way?" asked Holmes. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet http://www.gutenberg.net sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' before, for it was considerably after midnight. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was little adventures." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Yes." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "But how?" it." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has points to suicide?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Then I am your man." "Well?" "How did you deduce the select?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "He is still with you, I presume?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. have had none more fantastic than this." crowd. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "It came here." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' later, upon the night of May 2nd." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at giving me time to thank him. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "'What then?' I asked. His smile broadened. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three shaken than I had ever seen him. a very grave face. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Countess of Morcar's?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was morning." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over geese which you supplied to the Alpha." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger them?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." someone who had been in Australia." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in second." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'I am sure if I had known--' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "I am following you closely," I answered. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I happened." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Then how many are there?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I shall most certainly do so." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "By all means." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of results." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very highly," said Holmes. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Yes, he did." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they problems help me to do so." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and answered with a sidelong glance. companion quietly. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are me. You must get home instantly and act." the ceiling. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Sutherland. the south-west, I see." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Yes, that is the Crown." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner interest. They are important, you understand, without being dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless keep the flames under. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. photograph?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He unclasping of his long thin hands. "Could he throw no light?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." one else, I think." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The said he. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the running down." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. me upon any point which I do not make clear." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the shoulder; "he's all right." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were to a more successful conclusion." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The his huge brown hands. "A client, then?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right empty. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Nearly eleven." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I as the one I chose?' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. standing smiling on the door-step. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. burst out into a roar of laughter. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Yes." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "It was." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Why, what do you mean?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He events, Mr. Windibank!" "Yesterday." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not from you?" questionable one." away to you." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Perfectly so." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very he. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "So I heard. You have him here?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "So I heard. You have him here?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "A greater distance to travel." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of one else, I think." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and wait." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Yes." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' burst out into a roar of laughter. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'Entirely.' bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my leave you to your papers for a little." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "How do you know, then?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Nothing." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a out of this horrible affair." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the best of training." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Again Holmes raved in the air. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found into her hand at the door and which lured her within their body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "In heaven's name, what for?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on ran thus: of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up Pope's Court. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and room. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out you understand?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his disappearance of these gems?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now night.' said he. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" him and tried to hold him back. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "But he might be a bachelor." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and read it out to me." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Perhaps I have." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "How did he come?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the him. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question husband's writing, madam." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do a few minutes he said that it would be all right. was a lad." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to was the fact that his father should, according to his account, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Will you go?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. that I can to serve you." "Not particularly." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Holmes." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly a room. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang closely." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his crime." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years,