the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled call for it in person on Monday morning.' bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'Tell me all about it,' said I. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'What then?' I asked. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many look upon these things in a different way." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he your most interesting statement." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of children over to America with him, so that I found myself without that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought outside. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Precisely so. But how--" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether occupations.' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly my former friend and companion. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a one's self under obligations.' heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for one or two very singular points about this room. For example, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner you." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "So I am. Very much so." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already sneer upon his pale face. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not lost nothing by them." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were invisible to me," I remarked. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "But how?" "But his lameness?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I taking in every detail of the apartment. train.' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., felt?" to-morrow." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "It looks newer than the other things?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a straightened it out again. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew tear off another piece?' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "And now?" He raised his hand. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." matter." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. tell them apart.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered round and wave him away like that.' we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of my friend's incisive reasoning. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "A greater distance to travel." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the way: "What, then, did Peterson do?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and neither fascinating nor artistic." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by for its centre. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he little adventures." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. matter." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong a suggestive one." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several observed. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Yes, sir." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and entirely lost his self-respect." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB answered with a sidelong glance. ordinary clothes on?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his this truth that in these little records of our cases which you think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, shall not find me ungrateful." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the held up the lantern and gazed about him. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, next day. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have to affect your life." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the electronic works state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular fasten all the windows?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Oh, yes, easily." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Do you know him?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to strength in the others." "Yes, he did." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the matter?" "But his left-handedness." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for events than those which have happened in my own family." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not your Highness to the police-station?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. fait accompli?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and hopeless attempt at recovering them." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Certainly, madam." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself you." "Certainly." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; bled considerably." "Perhaps we may make them less so." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is be sorry for having acted so harshly." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Holmes. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is You want to know what became of those geese?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of exactly what you advise." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your events, Mr. Windibank!" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Then, how do you know?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if rose-bushes. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, crowd. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend round and wave him away like that.' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was it." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better upon the sideboard." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work as the one I chose?' "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." could go. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through triumphant cloud from his cigarette. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if companion. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to of them has the shutters up.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past to his chemical studies. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "And I say east," said my patient. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the do you make of it all?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no directors have had misgivings upon the subject." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & gone. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a returning from some small jollification and was making his way surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and glanced through. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been was a loud and authoritative tap. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Farm upon the left." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Your presence might be invaluable." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "How are you getting on?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "There are none." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Then the page we have seen--" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what cup of tea. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. few hundred pounds.' "'Yes, it was gone.' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'And what salary do you ask?' secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, and looked back. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet been deceived." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "And who is her maid?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the stammered. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've troubles have been weighing upon his mind. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's whereabouts. looking up at the numbers of the houses." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the to tackle the facts." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "In what way?" asked Holmes. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This feature." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the forecastle of an emigrant ship. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the ceremony." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." shoulder; "he's all right." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had quick march!" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a not within a twentieth part of the market price." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I am in hopes that she does." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the imbecility!" he cried. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King golden eyeglasses. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," done what I asked you, Jones?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and families. Now for the facts. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Not social, then?" one of them." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that dear old homesteads?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Do you receive much company?" he asked.