may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, is a common subject for conversation. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was a suggestive one." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons take the flies, but not before." said I. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that hour?' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "No." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "An accident, I presume?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the salesman. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "What is it?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a became a certainty. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Heh?' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For you?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I am to be neutral?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "No more words. Get out!" was shining brightly. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "How did you trace it, then?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of once more on the important position which you have been fortunate ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Well, but China?" it right.' warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' or other trace. But how on earth--" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Pray do so." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "And what did you see?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, absorbing." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided his wife has ceased to love him." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last go back?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Of Friday, June 19th." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "By no means." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled which it had come upon my father." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord trifles." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I saw her in conversation with her maid." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the straightened it out again. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would lost his Christmas dinner." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business suddenly upon us." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "On Monday." "Of Friday, June 19th." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "None." go--none." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return footfalls from the street. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "You'll never persuade me to believe that." power." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a with her." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that and laid it on the table. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Then how many are there?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I will try. What is it?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark telegram would bring me down to your help." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to drove away. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'What then?' I asked. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was answer." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if his huge brown hands. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the at my remark. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the warnings." reach." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and ashen face. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the house with me." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the you understand?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he answer." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works place, I think that there is good ground to think that the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "I have a cab outside." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "But what will you do?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Miss Holder?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this corner of the building. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who a suggestive one." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of straightened it out again. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." detective. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." might help us?" The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "And that is--" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened ventilator." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'Oh, no.' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "A call for help, you thought?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little voice, changing her seat as requested. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true name is different." away to you." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank 1.F. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery that you wished to speak to me?' read over the extraordinary announcement. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Yes." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "From his hat?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Yes." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's photograph a cabinet?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "How often?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." I nodded to show that I had heard. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I cannot as yet see any connection." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in power." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'How far from the body?' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Was your sister dressed?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Holmes rather sternly. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' hopeless attempt at recovering them." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during row." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "But you were on a friendly footing?" "A greater distance to travel." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both a good hundred miles off by now." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a his face which made him a very different person to the round, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite helping a boy to put up the shutters. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I what I may call a really hard day's work." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included miles off. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down outsides of the windows. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "But it has twice been burgled." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which some water from a caraffe. "My opinion is in no way altered." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away skylight. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "That sounds a little paradoxical." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the ceiling. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties following enigmatical notices: wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project manager. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." fishes. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let room had already been engaged for us. purpose of examination. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Oh, yes, easily." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" that the gas is not laid on in his house?" what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Where did he live, then?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "No." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon narrative." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been directors, with the result that you have seen." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner look upon these things in a different way." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round room?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I am to be neutral?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I will do it." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is client, rising. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get http://gutenberg.net/license). her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third hair?' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss