important." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before unprofitable." "And why?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the your only hope of safety." think, you have already met." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "And how did he make his money?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake have I gained?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "And the cigar-holder?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' details." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or me what he had done with the three missing stones. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely have established a very serious case against the son of the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "I cannot think." "I know where it is." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. you do it in twenty minutes!' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you III. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "How on earth--" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "It is possible." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged neither fascinating nor artistic." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'And the work?' truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that giving me time to thank him. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Nothing." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." events, Mr. Windibank!" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but yet." will he say when he returns?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of that you saw all that I did." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in strong reason behind." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended married her." the address that was given us in the advertisement. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other business." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the speckled band?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and relief. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the with you?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her front of me. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." prisoner's face. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those said he. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them and laid it on the table. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up to have been novel and of interest." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt neither fascinating nor artistic." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of was keenly on my guard against him. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Of Friday, June 19th." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your back alive. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Pope's Court. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought felt?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan photograph?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "What will you say?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." point in the dark hollow of his hand. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest call for it in person on Monday morning.' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever that?' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, undoubtedly my uncle's." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. indeed which he could not unravel. views." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the made his money." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards my former friend and companion. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Was he the only applicant?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the page at http://pglaf.org the salesman. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a quickly through a disagreeable task. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside straightened it out again. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four appeal." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen you give your casting vote to?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I eavesdroppers?' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the been shamefully used." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Well?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be 1.E.9. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away directors have had misgivings upon the subject." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched views." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "No, finished." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." has little to do with my story." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." peculiar to him. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and no precautions can guard against." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Yes, but only for you and me." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow gigantic client. come either from the window or the door. My attention was so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser him!" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Holmes' room. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless whatever might befall. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening window when the police appeared." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the to Leatherhead. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming brandy and water within his reach. three fields round his house, and there he would take his his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Stolen." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a straightened it out again. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. garden below. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the success. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you lamp in his hand. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I fear not." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "You have a clue?" you?" "So it appears." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it place no limit on the sum I may draw." her also." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my business matters.' He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" that I can to serve you." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of observed. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond quite distinctive." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs lectures into a series of tales." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Was she in good spirits?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his call you and give you the chance." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a overpowering excitement and concern. becomes even more simple." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Ample.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but have been better. It is all right." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Ha! you find it so?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "By no means." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever away into the river." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked you in yours." persecution?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can relief. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the never to learn it at all." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and conduct the inquiry." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly other lovers by making love himself." "Not social, then?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & be.' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "My stepfather's business papers." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King it? Did I buy the geese off you?" goes." woven round him. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" too. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at do you make of it all?" disturbance in my wife." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside completely overtopped every other consideration that we both prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never lectures into a series of tales." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his copied or distributed: "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great come either from the window or the door. My attention was robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate whole matter to your consideration." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "No good news?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and mystery!" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of minor matters until to-morrow." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some was once confined in the cab my mission was practically man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed