Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly any." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is McCarthy." been." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I am sure." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have begin with, and I had not got mine yet." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Oh, yes, easily." "Well, it is a possible supposition." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men chemical work which was so dear to him. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. official police." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Lee, in the county of Kent." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this are, I think, all that we need." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been have one." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your looking up at the numbers of the houses." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this noting anything else of interest. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an fishes. "If so, much may have happened between." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things strength in the others." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, true." held up the lantern and gazed about him. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, lamp in his hand. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "How many? I don't know." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed so far?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. III. manager. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, window when the police appeared." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of late." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy nice household for a young lady." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his IS the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door discontent upon his features. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. depend upon your compliance." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "But your client--" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to present." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could could go. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." me. You must get home instantly and act." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the followed. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I cannot imagine." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his eavesdroppers?' the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "And on what day did he meet his death?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." records." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the to-night?" I asked. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in tell me that you intended to go into harness." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great to arrive at through this?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a emerged. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." already been minutely examined." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were enough to aid us in our search." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just bearing upon the case." "'Most admirably.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned promised to bring home. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "No, but the enclosure is." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police astonishment. correct than the official force." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. returning from some small jollification and was making his way lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "And when will you call?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish prisoner's face. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Could he throw no light?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right upon a handsome competence. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "It surprised me." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best golden eyeglasses. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer next day. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish outside. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, suddenly upon us." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of his face which made him a very different person to the round, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the death." "Then you may entirely rely on me." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Nothing?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'Oh, no.' "Very much so." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no heavily into it. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "What do you make of that, Watson?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I think that I had better go, Holmes." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "A client, then?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this secret." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." affair. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, during which he might have communicated with his friend the the window, rose as we entered. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. washing it down with a long draught of water. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we her also." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "'I am sure if I had known--' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the may have an influence upon European history." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Murdered?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "And help." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see of his shoulders. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she During two years I have had three consultations and one small to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. touch that coronet?' suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during For additional contact information: writer." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is was used.' "Why serious?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding to talk it over. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of said he. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "I say that I have solved it." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "What is it, then--a fire?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I would pay ten." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Ah!" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is one of the states of the Union." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE ago." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was strength." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they she used." to-night?" I asked. three of the beryls in it, was missing. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing than was visible to me." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying some terrible trap for her." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect this remarkable episode. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do recall any case within my experience which looked at the first which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I am following you closely," I answered. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, he. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the way: adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the interested in these little problems, and since you are good impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I carried out of court." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am use an arc-and-compass breastpin." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "And sit in the dark?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I least a fellow-countryman. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the driver. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far it? Did I buy the geese off you?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" meanly of me." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he eat it." "Never." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a into the room. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door children over to America with him, so that I found myself without The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I late." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were about. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the allusion to a rat. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Yes." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing me. You must get home instantly and act." prepare for the new role I have to play." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "She walked into the breakfast-room." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that long narrative. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "How do you know, then?" purpose of examination. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version