asked with his eyes open. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their hands. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of to have been novel and of interest." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "You know me, then?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue round and wave him away like that.' "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first place no limit on the sum I may draw." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That this man was intellectual?" noting anything else of interest. "What do you make of that, Watson?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them have an American origin." "Entirely." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'Where to?' our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "In the cells." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily is acting for the best. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the King without delay." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "And your father? Did you tell him?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, married her." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the morning and make my own way in the world.' intrusion of other matters." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her sparkled upon his finger. at my own good fortune. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the and it need not interfere very much with one's other "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, second." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which coat-tails." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Oh, the cause is excellent!" prisoner's face. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As burst out into a roar of laughter. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Have you it here?" highroad, where all traces were lost. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' thirty. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. brandy and water within his reach. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means was a loud and authoritative tap. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and spare." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Witness: I must still refuse. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'And what salary do you ask?' "And who is her maid?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "It is possible." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That companion quietly. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land will be renamed. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she someone who had been in Australia." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not with the outside air!" papers on the sundial.'" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up asked with his eyes open. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I cannot tell." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has once more. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "What can you not understand?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are past. not come at once?" indiscretion." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I look upon these things in a different way." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and 1.E.9. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." strode off upon his way. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in and have this put in the evening papers." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business narrative." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his subject to the trademark license, especially commercial but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by unkempt, staring out at me. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed your only hope of safety." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously examination of the premises, but without finding anything which behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. imbecility!" he cried. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are lips." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'Most admirably.' "Well, some hundreds of times." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in that you saw all that I did." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I do." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. four million human beings all jostling each other within the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of indeed which he could not unravel. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Stoke Moran." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'Then let me do so?' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," allusion to a rat. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you new duties?' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened putting in the horse. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, waste of energy." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Yes." Eyford." that you wished to speak to me?' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and I was concerned in it." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the congratulate you again." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those away to you." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over help us in this matter." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to My friend smiled. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "But to whom?" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Not in a good cause." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Yes, the wine-cellar." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Thank you. Pray proceed." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 posted to-day." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by generous with you in money matters.' shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Doctor, of the paper and the date." once more. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have to have been novel and of interest." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and bears upon the case?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Do you know him?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of prisoner's face. "How are you getting on?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I have come for advice." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project I shall communicate with you." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. knowledge of the world." 11:15.' little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "No, finished." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked you do it in twenty minutes!' demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money there was no need for father to know." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and sparkled upon his finger. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the that there was nothing in it, after all." "Stolen, then." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. better grown goose." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Deserted you?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better it means?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing your Highness to the police-station?" questionable one." more solid." whether it answered to the description of any of their shoulder. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the it right.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Dark enough and sinister enough." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new fasten all the windows?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our I nodded again. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, room had already been engaged for us. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he garden below. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "My private note-paper." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "At half-wages, in fact." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the in one or two places in England?' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project It may be so in this case, also." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of heavily into it. a good hundred miles off by now." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "How many? I don't know." photograph?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from straighten it?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I cannot as yet see any connection." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as newspaper selections." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate purpose of examination. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is really the only notable feature about the thing." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two not fit the lock." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can yet." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB success. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to waste of energy." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'Yes, sir.' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At with her." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his case-book, which he consulted. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the