Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Get out!" said he. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father this Miss Turner." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, felt the room to be a little close.' Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at walking." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would outbreak?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Have you good authority for what you say?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready into the bag, and made for the door. made him keep the appointment." said I. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that be.' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow might have a private word with us. "And who is her maid?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I thirty. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the one as in the other." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had young Openshaw's." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the all-comprehensive glances. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the room while you explain this matter?" go--none." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Yes, sir." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'What then?' I asked. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was written, and locked the door of the office after me. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." IS this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and and wait." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably frequently gained my first real insight into the character of said he. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the sparkled upon his finger. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to I. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the you, my dear young lady?' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious papers must be those that are destroyed.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'And what salary do you ask?' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet you in yours." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. together. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "What then?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own other lovers by making love himself." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I answered that I had not. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of advice." business." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'You cannot say what it was?' strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled and it need not interfere very much with one's other grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, was shining brightly. "Not I." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the fuss that is made over them." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me locked. once more to my work. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. records." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the derbies." there when the Rucastles went away." never will be, entirely cleared up. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One him, that man would not have given me such complete information building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some will not take me long to tell. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am asked. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Have you good authority for what you say?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Surrey." even so self-evident a thing as that." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "No bad?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, I nodded to show that I had heard. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no a good hundred miles off by now." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "It is very kind of you." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour visitors." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A it." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in presume?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique hands. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. before, for it was considerably after midnight. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking maiden herself was most instructive." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not handed it to him. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point 1.E.9. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'Why that?' I asks. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. more terrible than the truth. "Dark enough and sinister enough." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "What I expected to see." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, carpenter." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because of the vacancies.' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Street. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and make me his representative both with the servants and with the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that very peculiar words of the dying woman?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that the warnings." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, are windows in it, of course?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "My own seal." noting anything else of interest. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Yes, it would be as well." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself their singular warning or token before them when starting upon if only as a check to my own memory." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Never." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will man. I know him from the photograph." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "His face fell immediately. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" guilty one." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton occurred." see me here to avoid scandal." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I was sure that I might rely on you." "And from a noble client?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "'Oh, no.' the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "We have tried and failed." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Then, as to money?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, situation." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of The events in question occurred in the early days of my arrangements." pictures, libraries, or plate. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Yesterday." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." that disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "The rest you will leave in our hands." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the matter?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I beyond words. like that before?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'Certainly,' I answered. one of the states of the Union." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his beyond words. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. these bleak autumnal evenings." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and guilty one." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "How did you deduce the select?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "It's nothing of the kind." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying observed. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how heavily into it. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there suggested at once that there must be a communication between the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "9th. McCauley cleared. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building father's young wife. "But you can know nothing of this?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I distinguish the words: 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Here?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through face and glided from the room. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the roots. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Certainly, madam." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Only as much as we can deduce." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Where did you address your letters, then?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "You heard nothing yourself last night?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the fluttered off among the others. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "What! Had he lost his wife?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the coroner's jury." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, delirious. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "And from a noble client?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Have you her photograph?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "What! You do not mean bodies?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, must be when I saw the door open.' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the not fit the lock." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, rat could hardly pass through." affair. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Holmes rather sternly. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at ordinary clothes on?" time." could go. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "What, then?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Surrey." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite digesting their breakfasts at home." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two room. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no an introduction to him?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say feature." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she away into the river." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "In what way?" asked Holmes. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was man. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing your room." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down later, upon the night of May 2nd." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated I held the little printed slip to the light. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was