Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the disturbance in my wife." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'I am sure if I had known--' "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like case-book, which he consulted. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the his eyes and forehead. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two him!" "You did not overhear what they said?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a danger is over." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." man. invisible to me," I remarked. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "She walked into the breakfast-room." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his undoubtedly my uncle's." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "But the mystery?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "It is possible." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and all-comprehensive glances. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "She showed me, as I told you she would." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which so far?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever outsides of the windows. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'What would be the hours?' I asked. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at McCarthy." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a knowledge of the world." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a already been minutely examined." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to bedroom door." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' these bleak autumnal evenings." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "By no means." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the little opening for the ventilator is." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not at once, for I have only half an hour." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Yes, he did." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in official police." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. to his chemical studies. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'And the work?' "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "But who is he?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into hardly wander." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to This is what he says: Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police breakfast." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate promised to bring home. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that this as likely?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "And did you observe any change in her then?" one's self under obligations.' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as His name is Francis Prosper." "It is possible." the ceiling. strong reason behind." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest which it had come upon my father." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for this unhappy family?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door 1.E.9. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which chance." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when go back?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can is," said he presently: hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the window, rose as we entered. four million human beings all jostling each other within the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately a very grave face. "What then?" "BALLARAT." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not six. Come in!" did not hear it also.' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Where, then, is my wife?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "I cannot imagine." "Well, but China?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" morning." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. strong reason behind." You want to know what became of those geese?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down ashen face. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a wedding?" green of the new foliage. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I am all attention, madam." exactly what you advise." "'Which dealer's?' Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "At what time?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "A confidential servant?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "She showed me, as I told you she would." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Not I." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if voice, changing her seat as requested. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that over here." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, together. "'Never.' "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the breakfast." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I cannot tell." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Have you it here?" said he. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in made his money." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the certainly do as you advise." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'Very good.' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the so-precious time, but come!' "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "And how did you verify them?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in know what is wrong with it.' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the said he. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I in the dead of the night?' remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "No." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. 'please.'" was used.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying sparkled upon his finger. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his I shall communicate with you." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I do." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "But you can know nothing of this?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in daring than any effort of the imagination." in a very precise fashion." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Nothing." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "The gentleman I describe." "And from a noble client?" "I promise," said Holmes. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. just ask you whether you had heard it.' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "You horrify me." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about room. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can sufficient punishment." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would acted in my house last night?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first extraordinary contortions. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal three fields round his house, and there he would take his "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "You have the photograph?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most there when the Rucastles went away." "But she could not love him." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. chance at all." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his suspect him." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, For additional contact information: nothing with him." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it before, for it was considerably after midnight. arrested. You then--" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "You horrify me!" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "In the cells." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, away into the river." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to friends, not even his own brother. affair. "Nothing?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Holmes' thin, eager face. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Nothing?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who straightened it out again. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me information in his hands the value of which he did not himself My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a bled considerably." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, particular state visit http://pglaf.org He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "And did you observe any change in her then?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away of a light. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. very old mansion. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of as yours." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by