of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "It must be recovered." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or them?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "At half-wages, in fact." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his in one or two places in England?' living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had exactly what you advise." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two here and I will read it to you: Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "And I." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "No, I am descending." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at of a light. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the room while you explain this matter?" within hail.' "'Yes, it was gone.' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Doctor, of the paper and the date." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King that you wished to speak to me?' Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Then you may entirely rely on me." to-night." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Where did you address your letters, then?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," is entirely a question of barometric pressure." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB face and glided from the room. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until strength of mind to control. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the trifles." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is said he. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I window when the police appeared." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the salesman. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already not fit the lock." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Game for a morning drive?" "To an end?" "Then you may be so with me." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Lee, in the county of Kent." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "This photograph!" mystery may be cleared along those lines." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the row." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "The Cedars?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I make me his representative both with the servants and with the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony business." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural McCarthy's innocence. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the questioning and rather startled gaze. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'Most admirably.' man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day your own bird, so if you wish--" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Mrs. Toller serenely. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "But you were on a friendly footing?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "You think so, too?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. deduce something from that?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent me where it went to?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." chair. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "It is possible." "The vanishing of the lady." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' been shamefully used." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "And from a noble client?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Where, then, is my wife?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Countess of Morcar's?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "How did he come?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I see no marks." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country then?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Yes, from Horsham." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a joking. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, best detective that ever lived. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." introspective fashion. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of was keenly on my guard against him. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my your most interesting statement." shoulder; "he's all right." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. This is what he says: Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate indeed which he could not unravel. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." legal crime." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "But of what society?" depend upon your compliance." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Why serious?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I society." closely." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, name is different." ways of our fellow-men." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Has he come with you to-night?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. affection." hardly wander." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to when your master had gone out." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, this poor creature." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "How do you know, then?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the ourselves in the office." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" it. man. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon to his chemical studies. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the morning." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us nonsense.' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from sparkled upon his finger. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the affection." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm felt the room to be a little close.' must compliment you." "Why? What do you mean?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Edgeware Road. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked derbies." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Yes." lost nothing by them." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the taking in every detail of the apartment. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen carpenter." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." your most interesting statement." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his standing smiling on the door-step. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the been deceived." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all prison!" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew had this final quarrel? layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Yes." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had head. So long, then!" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I am armed." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our himself. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "The Coroner: What do you mean? heavy and sharp instrument." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "But I am all in the dark." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would had no one to advise her at such a crisis." clang of the bell. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you You want to know what became of those geese?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw business matters.' or in danger--" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as if I call to-morrow?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called room had already been engaged for us. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "None." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'There is a drive, then?' opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "It must be recovered." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "What can it mean?" I gasped. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Yes." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "This photograph!" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to impression behind it as though a window had gently closed He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." I approached. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London appointment with me for six o'clock?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses open." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "And I." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the his face which made him a very different person to the round, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' fatally injured? tell me that you intended to go into harness." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': purpose of examination. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to you, my dear young lady?' them?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it or other trace. But how on earth--" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Perhaps we may make them less so." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning my room." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Well." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with undoubtedly my uncle's." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had infinite languor in his face. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles telegram would bring me down to your help." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall that you saw all that I did." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our roused himself from his reverie. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "In answer to an advertisement." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found matters immensely." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. at my own good fortune. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Yes, at the mines." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'What, the red-headed man?' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "I am armed." humiliation." "It is possible." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'And what are they worth?' I asked. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the highroad, where all traces were lost. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I