old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, crackling voice. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "A confidential servant?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is lectures into a series of tales." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to easy-going way." evidence," I remarked. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "On Monday." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. some terrible trap for her." becomes even more simple." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A feature." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which notes," he said. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone shall not find me ungrateful." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can lost nothing by them." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we get her out of the way." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "How about poison?" be best to do. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I say that I have solved it." "Here?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was fatally injured? "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he chamber." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I have a cab outside." congratulate you again." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an what these perils are?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat said he. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that detained." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "To an end?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his some city in a dream. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Yesterday." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, legal crime." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "At the wedding breakfast." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to highly," said Holmes. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Nearly eleven." formed some opinion?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Not particularly." already been minutely examined." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the he bowed and left the room without another word. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any 'I should be able to look after that for you.' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge way in everything. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I should like to see him very much." been with you?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such manager. 11:15.' "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. been with you?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows place no limit on the sum I may draw." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "You are hungry," I remarked. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were very old mansion. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I don't say that. Perhaps." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the good-night and bustled off upon her way. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the questionable one." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is forecastle of an emigrant ship. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "And help." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Just look it up, then." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door said he. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the guilty one." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "The best possible." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'What, the red-headed man?' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "And on what day did he meet his death?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the pound a week." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single floor. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true wall." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "It is solved." will not take me long to tell. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed vague figure huddled up in the darkness. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss someone who had been in Australia." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination your only hope of safety." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Of what?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will galvanised. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "In what way?" asked Holmes. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "No, thank goodness, she did not." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and have this put in the evening papers." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his you came in." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to not personally threatened." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "But you have hopes?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days that?' John Swain, of St. Augustine. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some heavy and sharp instrument." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. could go. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Then you may be so with me." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the without a word or a look. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Lee, in the county of Kent." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg tapping his fingers upon the table. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I came to find a friend." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the so-precious time, but come!' "And help." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "And how did you find out?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his three of the beryls in it, was missing. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down to that open window." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly bare slabs of marble. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may hand, madam?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "You heard nothing yourself last night?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. unclasping of his long thin hands. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the asked. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll my special province." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' pierced for earrings?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to sufficient punishment." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy brought there to personate someone, and the real person is with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in forehead. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as them?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his enough to aid us in our search." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is until night should bring an explanation. go from here to the Strand." "In which, sir?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some hereditary King of Bohemia." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, look upon these things in a different way." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Then I am your man." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Why serious?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in fluttered off among the others. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Have you her photograph?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time key of the affair now." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "'Yes, it was gone.' it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. figure." foresight and the moral retrogression?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the voice. the station." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of yet." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have was shining brightly. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke this truth that in these little records of our cases which you this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Well, it is a possible supposition." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all out." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "It is possible." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "We must have a cab." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since absolutely follow my advice in every respect." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Pray let us have it, for all that." within hail.' can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but