"'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "May I see it?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly this unhappy family?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Yes." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life tear off another piece?' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. get the tickets." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Only as much as we can deduce." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "And what then?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before gone before you can get him to hospital." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very province." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and been with you?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was said he at last. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Countess of Morcar's?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my think, you have already met." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. spare." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning such person." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to cost them two and thirty pounds." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" for and were ordered to this address. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His to some other building. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the tear off another piece?' doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she it with his own hands." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the locked. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "How are you getting on?" mysterious end." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Sutherland. "It is very kind of you." "Yes, but only for you and me." "I have a cab outside." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." compunction about shooting them down." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" in his hands." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH said I. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'You doubt its value?' he asked. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in fire. You quite follow me?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Holmes' thin, eager face. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "In the cells." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few daring than any effort of the imagination." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have it with his own hands." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over have had none more fantastic than this." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "To an English lawyer named Norton." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I might help us?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "The vanishing of the lady." any little problem which you may submit to me." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Lee, in the county of Kent." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Ample." "Murdered?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in whole matter to your consideration." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed the devil!" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being in the dead of the night?' allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the morning and make my own way in the world.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There just called myself is not exactly my own." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Sholtos." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was sound at heart." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my been able to understand it, in a very few words. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Upon what point?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. laugh and put his lips to my ear. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection galvanised. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' nonsense.' thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, hereditary King of Bohemia." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution business in the City. She little knew what. "The vanishing of the lady." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, whatever might befall. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there amused." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Then you may be so with me." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'And what salary do you ask?' "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." drawing your inferences." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "That's no good." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the o'clock is it?" "Texas, I think." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." pressing in one house as in another. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt visitors." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we followed. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary digesting their breakfasts at home." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." was shining brightly. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Then you may be so with me." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, fishes. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, papers must be those that are destroyed.' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, sufficient punishment." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs in a friendly supper." hard-headed British jury." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I do." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'Then let me do so?' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in this poor creature." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I never to learn it at all." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got to talk it over. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all wanted for ourselves." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the tragedy. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob not, dad?" she asked. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have eat it." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far very old mansion. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" locked." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, and the whole place is in a blaze." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Stoke Moran?" said he. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon goes." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Seven!" I answered. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. him. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I breakfast?" Mary, has deserted me." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I are windows in it, of course?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it pictures, libraries, or plate. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "There are none." his wife has ceased to love him." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider respectable self." touch that coronet?' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of over here." said he. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "But you have hopes?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the coronet in his hand?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Of Friday, June 19th." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Yes, sir." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this before, for it was considerably after midnight. begun to whiten, even as mine has." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." bird I ate is country bred." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." them?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "What will you do, then?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'What do you call purely nominal?' "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right garden below. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works have one." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'You doubt its value?' he asked. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Where did you address your letters, then?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without eavesdroppers?' Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Not in the least." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from introspective fashion. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the appointment with me for six o'clock?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I indeed which he could not unravel. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I cannot say that I have." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." British peeress.'" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "But you were on a friendly footing?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I know where it is." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Sholtos."