address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "The doctor?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be directors, with the result that you have seen." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Young McCarthy must be got off, however." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have death." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "An accident, I presume?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in my former friend and companion. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity entirely lost his self-respect." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he you." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But right! Sit down and let us talk it over." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of question," said Holmes, smiling. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle ordinary clothes on?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." situation." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and I shall be with you presently." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Yes, there are nearly always some there." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, cigars in their mouths. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable was already answered. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the child." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Do you receive much company?" he asked. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "And what did you learn from him?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the be best to do. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Do you receive much company?" he asked. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only fact, we may call it conclusive." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "That also I could fathom." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I am sure." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "About a month then." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted chamber." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "You will not go there first?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "At half-wages, in fact." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause sit on the left-hand side of the driver." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The examine." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "In answer to an advertisement." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one approach us with offers to donate. at once, for I have only half an hour." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the I nodded again. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "None. Neville wrote those words." "By no means." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was ashen face. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "What?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little which we had just quitted. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door chill to my heart. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "And you can do nothing until then?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the nursery. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Which are?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "And Irene Adler?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted it." public press." "Here?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project to have been novel and of interest." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" records." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you me where it went to?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "And when will you call?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I cannot think." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the morning and make my own way in the world.' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery his grey eyes. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" when you have done it." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless is entirely a question of barometric pressure." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Ah!" down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the McCarthy's innocence. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he and it need not interfere very much with one's other upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "It is no ordinary one." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would them present such singular features as the strange train of "Bought." "What!" he roared. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Surrey." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your such person." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Eyford at 11:15.' shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the lectures into a series of tales." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I do." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Of what day?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Yes, it would be as well." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "My private note-paper." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, fashion which was peculiar to him. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "My Mary? Impossible!" must be when I saw the door open.' the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and wait." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "By all means." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry with you?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, again, where I was soon asleep. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I seven miles from Eyford Station.' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "And you thought he was pulled back?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Then you may be so with me." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before events, Mr. Windibank!" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own details should find their way into the papers. Inspector my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long second window is the one that I jumped from." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he particular state visit http://pglaf.org said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in such attractions and accomplishments?' relief. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure past. his fortune, and I went back to pa. "And on what day did he meet his death?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran to surprise her." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the tapping his fingers upon the table. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "When did she vanish, then?" were wasted." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope in this note: "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew that, and I came down." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "'Quite sure, dad.' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'And what are they worth?' I asked. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project your co-operation." the driver. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the tragedy. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "What shall I do?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, matter." sound at heart." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should goes." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project place no limit on the sum I may draw." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the purpose of examination. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Yes." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Come in!" said he. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. once more for Briony Lodge. "The King of Scandinavia." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Then you may be so with me." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who enough to aid us in our search." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "How are you getting on?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen likely to be some crony of the landlady's." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried companion. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the him!" of them has the shutters up.' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Perhaps we may make them less so." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "You think that he is dead?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working it were putty." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the loss of it. were wasted." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, unclasping of his long thin hands. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and murdered man." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and test if we have an answer to our advertisement." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the security.' he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Yes." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'Yes, sir.' the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. telegram would bring me down to your help." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of in darkness. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "But his lameness?" "How did you trace it, then?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was introspective fashion. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'Where could I find him?' instituted." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I am to be neutral?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a charge against him will break down." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." clang of the bell. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for http://gutenberg.net/license). after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, in this note: money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. cheerful." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." for its centre. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. advice." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy garden below. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor