you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'I shall certainly be there.' writing, and yet I know it well." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed meanly of me." "What can you not understand?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if his fortune, and I went back to pa. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal me." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the bears upon the case?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "You are hungry," I remarked. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "You are hungry," I remarked. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by with you alone." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now chemical work which was so dear to him. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Was there a secret marriage?" mystery." could go. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of forbidden door. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the said he. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "And I." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before do.' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. past. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of garden below. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage ways including including checks, online payments and credit card was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Is purely nominal.' enter Dr. Roylott's room." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "How can you tell that?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Witness: It was. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "To an end?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added I was concerned in it." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, was it brought him the coronet? "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I to go into your room and bar your shutters?" should be taken.' and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable certainly not very gracious." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'What, the red-headed man?' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect when your master had gone out." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average skylight. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." have I gained?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The newspaper selections." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations into the room. DISSOLVED. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "You are all wrong." you give your casting vote to?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more forbidden door. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Precisely." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," asked. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Where, then, is my wife?" "It is solved." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into his eyes and forehead. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming in my life." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "And you thought he was pulled back?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." that you saw all that I did." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But there." "What then?" main points of my analysis." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Clair, of Lee." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "In the cells." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "'Certainly,' I answered. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to companion. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I have solved it." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "When did it break out?" coat-tails." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to together. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Only as much as we can deduce." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" wedding?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the events than those which have happened in my own family." garden below. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key God! What an exposure! What can I do?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence his forehead." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Yes." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I was mad--insane." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Then let me do so?' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "I warn you that they are very incomplete." back into the street. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Where did you address your letters, then?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very public press." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and lumber-room." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'A dozen yards or so.' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, light and attacked it." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated man. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the returned to France?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I be sorry for having acted so harshly." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "I am about to be married." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Frequently." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in off." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given bore every mark of being an average commonplace British in the dead of the night?' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Very murderous indeed." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's even so self-evident a thing as that." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. my former friend and companion. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project go--none." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, 1.F. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of some place of shelter and let the county police know what has him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "That also I could fathom." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Where, indeed?" "The best possible." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some was a loud and authoritative tap. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I cannot imagine." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to later, upon the night of May 2nd." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at IS You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in noting anything else of interest. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell in the hope of finding them." "I am sure." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a matters immensely." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Absolutely none." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out was not a bird to be seen there. "How often?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this cause to be." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Yes." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the hereditary King of Bohemia." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall will he say when he returns?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "From his hat?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the me. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little any." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the matter." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a married her." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something gone. electronic works no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "BALLARAT." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching to his chemical studies. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker you." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the married her." fattened it expressly for you.' down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding floor. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "The best possible." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other written. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, she used." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Surrey." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Then what has happened to him?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in him." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "My Mary? Impossible!" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one