"My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own be there in time for your coming." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. whereabouts. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic on re-entering her father's house?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged it were putty." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no your co-operation." back alive. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know there were so many in the whole country as were brought together Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "You did not overhear what they said?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Won't it ring?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in License. You must require such a user to return or me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'Stolen!' he cried. "'A dozen yards or so.' "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, row." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "How on earth--" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing infinite languor in his face. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open danger is over." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "No, I am descending." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction evidence," I remarked. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of children over to America with him, so that I found myself without enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard dead, shall be safe with us." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more quick march!" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the address that was given us in the advertisement. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that even so self-evident a thing as that." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of burst out into a roar of laughter. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home weapon." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "It is true that I have been generally successful." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." arrested. You then--" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily was feeling which was the fattest.' get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that investigation." "Then you may be so with me." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore just ask you whether you had heard it.' simple cases which are so extremely difficult." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard business came to an end." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Won't it ring?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his one of the states of the Union." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "And on what day did he meet his death?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the Friday. Was it to be in church?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "You saw the ventilator, too?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "No. His orders were to stay in the house." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'What would be the hours?' I asked. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I gives a meaning to it." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not in darkness. opportunities to fix the problem. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to results." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and problems help me to do so." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, stalked out of the room. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your yourselves in at night?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. instituted." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. client, rising. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for wedding?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Come in!" said he. better grown goose." of your young ladies.' It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "To an end?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he who was a member of your goose club." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Foundation "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I your only hope of safety." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." John Swain, of St. Augustine. would apply.' that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Certainly, madam." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Yes, sir." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'No, I know no one in these parts.' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. know all about it," he snarled. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to The King stared at him in amazement. there!' have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock in the port of London." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "And your father? Did you tell him?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the someone who had been in Australia." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and closely." child?' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you hopeless attempt at recovering them." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from think, you have already met." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "We were both in the photograph." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Not I." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "That sounds a little paradoxical." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by really the only notable feature about the thing." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." said he. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Leave Paddington by the 11:15." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "None." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Lee, in the county of Kent." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "No." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and that, and I came down." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man indeed happy." "Never." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Yes." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Yes, sir." "'What, the red-headed man?' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with back alive. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief was lame." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all your billet.' inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother brandy and water within his reach. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the whereabouts. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It delirious. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "No. What a strange idea!" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "But what is it you wish?" cost them two and thirty pounds." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the at once, for I have only half an hour." tightly behind him. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me your room." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. upon the white wrist. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "My opinion is in no way altered." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see ceremony." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? future lives." "Very murderous indeed." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That least a most suspicious remark." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further hurried away. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "So it appears." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant morning."