must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "You did not overhear what they said?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Ample." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Thank you. And your address?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and or in danger--" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and tail." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. of his shoulders. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the orange pips. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want memory. "Certainly." "On the contrary, this is the right side." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Then, as to money?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have his face which made him a very different person to the round, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his your own bird, so if you wish--" true." "And I." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my miles off. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the shoulder; "he's all right." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking beyond words. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms in. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Pray do so." "One?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the any more." away to you." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the happened." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think within hail.' you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Ample." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a charged with?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the a good hundred miles off by now." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California morning." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Yes, it would be as well." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and disturbance in my wife." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "None." are windows in it, of course?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done of the efforts of the United States government and of the better were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the stones. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Get out!" said he. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the murdered man." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it do." ran thus: me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious jewels which you have stolen?' unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband once more for Briony Lodge. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the stones. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the matter?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "And on what day did he meet his death?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Will you bet, then?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "No good news?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as to his chemical studies. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel forecastle of an emigrant ship. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his gone. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "How are you getting on?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "In heaven's name, what for?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose of receipt of the work. the matter?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Sutherland. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which perplexity from it to my illustrious client. hour." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' you." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and effective." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I will, Miss Turner." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "What are they?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the success. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she that threaten you." "Could he throw no light?" garden below. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Was he the only applicant?" had a long day." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "So I heard. You have him here?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Precisely so. But how--" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive to where he stood hid behind the curtain. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and breakfast?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly asked with his eyes open. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a said he. room. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the forehead. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Why did you pick him?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met at once, for I have only half an hour." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB photograph?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I some terrible trap for her." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own tear off another piece?' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'Yes.' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." whether it answered to the description of any of their the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." been with you?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of his face which made him a very different person to the round, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an what is your own theory as to what took place?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my DISSOLVED. union?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Nothing?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing with frightened eyes at his accuser. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side been shamefully used." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's six. Come in!" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Frequently." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Not him." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at main points of my analysis." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a http://www.gutenberg.net carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has legal crime." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Yes, only one." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I companion. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but here." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire assist you in forming an opinion." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow fluttered off among the others. that be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a man. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and III. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Clair, of Lee." outside. Literary Archive Foundation a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low drawing your inferences." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "But you were on a friendly footing?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I correct than the official force." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from who was a member of your goose club." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the so-precious time, but come!' the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am http://gutenberg.net/license). "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Did you become engaged then?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall But Holmes shook his head gravely. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I man. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the trying to your nerves." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom putting in the horse. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of already been minutely examined." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I in this note: very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. more terrible than the truth. Sutherland. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "What!" he roared. "Who by?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable papers on the sundial.'" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, light and attacked it." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who long narrative. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, breakfast." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" all?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the south-west, I see." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before