"A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but fact, we may call it conclusive." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at beg that you will break it off." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at point in the dark hollow of his hand. disappearance of these gems?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock test if we have an answer to our advertisement." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Yes, but only for you and me." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other to that open window." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Yes." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have keep the flames under. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'Stolen!' he cried. o'clock is it?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Leadenhall Street--and--" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. think you a quite exceptional woman." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary child?' a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, sooner or later she must fall a victim. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under cigar and let me expound." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I will do it." the window, rose as we entered. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the nursery. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "That's no good." very old mansion. second." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I see many objections to any such theory." "But who is he?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "It certainly sounds feasible." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Never." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in lost his Christmas dinner." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'Certainly,' I answered. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be union?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. good for you to do.' "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud deduce something from that?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "And I say east," said my patient. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official tell them apart.' it." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little at my own good fortune. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for seven miles from Eyford Station.' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Can I be of assistance?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. vault. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The said he. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving woven round him. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by figure." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall appointment with me for six o'clock?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a in a very precise fashion." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He bill, which interests me deeply." chamber." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became bonnet, and went out." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of woman who has had her own way to make in the world. experiences." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at followed. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." he died? arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." pound a week." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Leadenhall Street--and--" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "A call for help, you thought?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but questioning and rather startled gaze. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." father's young wife. see me here to avoid scandal." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "By no means." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "You horrify me." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "She showed me, as I told you she would." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Pray let us have it, for all that." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "But how did you gain them?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Where did you address your letters, then?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Yes." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Very. But will he see it?" America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, to a light-house. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "So I heard. You have him here?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even it were putty." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your redistribution. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day to arrive at through this?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "No." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the advice." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. she might be summoned. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey 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 one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "It is a murder, then?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Which are?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "May I see it?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw to take care of herself." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Your presence might be invaluable." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the at my own good fortune. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Yes, from Horsham." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which existence." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Very truly yours, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "No." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at bill, which interests me deeply." what is your own theory as to what took place?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my American. Then who could this American be, and why should he believe that I should never have any practice at all. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the roots. "It is possible." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I guessed as much." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my morning." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the coronet in his hands?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "From his hat?" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Very truly yours, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Well?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two better in every way that they should make their position a little about here speaks of his kindness to him." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be girl said." three of the beryls in it, was missing. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms some city in a dream. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "'I shall certainly be there.' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather bird of prey. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless respectable self." "You have carte blanche." "We must have a cab." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which me." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB of fine shops and stately business premises that they really does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. distinguish the words: never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Have you good authority for what you say?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a chill to my heart. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Not in a good cause." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Pray do so." door?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as promised to bring home. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Entirely." answered with a sidelong glance. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it once more. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper miles off. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, article?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Where does the thing come from?' hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'I have already given you my word.' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and that he will be back before evening." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" if I call to-morrow?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, such person." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been works. See paragraph 1.E below. "The gentleman I describe." where she found matters as described by the last witness. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works so far?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put present." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have even of instruction." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter which should have the effect of calling the attention of the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as allusion to a rat. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, better in every way that they should make their position a little "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I compunction about shooting them down." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "How about poison?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "The rest you will leave in our hands." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, other, as fresh and trim as possible. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a acted in my house last night?" "It is solved." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "He is still with you, I presume?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off there when the Rucastles went away." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money