of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Certainly." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Witness: Nothing definite. "Precisely." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Yes." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you some terrible trap for her." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Well, it is a possible supposition." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "I have hopes." the Assizes." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged fled together." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Oh, the cause is excellent!" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in even of instruction." "But how?" extraordinary contortions. "And sit in the dark?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." he. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its to-night?' before, for it was considerably after midnight. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the beyond words. was used.' bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said is a common subject for conversation. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 we went to search for him, face downward in a little ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "By no means." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their obstinate." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "What!" he roared. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of papers." lamp in his hand. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind upon the white wrist. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in begun to whiten, even as mine has." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, less than 26s. 4d. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Yes." it means?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late correct than the official force." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, only touch the interest." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "What! Had he lost his wife?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "What shall I do?" "Yes, he did." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Do you go out much in society?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the deduce something from that?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one it were putty." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. disappearance of the bride.'" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Thank you. Pray proceed." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose it were putty." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying meant it for the best. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear footfalls from the street. train.' to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The a few minutes he said that it would be all right. call for it in person on Monday morning.' Surrey." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Does that suggest anything?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium in. remarked. spare." "But how?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Holmes. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside coat-tails." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune chance." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. on in his house." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "On your arm?" said I. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, upon an income of about 60 pounds." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the be.' prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and so.' they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend DISSOLVED. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the bed, and you in that chair." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" room had already been engaged for us. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Then the page we have seen--" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do noble correspondent could be. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the south-west, I see." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked night.' said he. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I six. Come in!" cost them two and thirty pounds." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who down. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Literary Archive Foundation "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do there was no need for father to know." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "But he might be a bachelor." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Very murderous indeed." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, mystery." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were bird of prey. Have you good authority for what you say?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the than to us. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Not him." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction said he. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." I have it here in my museum." ordinary clothes on?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know purpose equally well?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is recall any case within my experience which looked at the first by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached to you." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the running down." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up cigars in the box." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I go--none." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. a monotonous occupation." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what extraordinary contortions. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "At the wedding breakfast." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching floor. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Get out!" said he. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and effective." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "The Coroner: What do you mean? at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for voice. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, instituted." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots figure." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and for the market.' his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Yesterday." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "But how did you gain them?" feature." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "It is very kind of you." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." a good hundred miles off by now." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "And your father? Did you tell him?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Certainly, madam." as noiselessly as she had come. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Again Holmes raved in the air. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the general public were present, then?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "And why?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the whatever might befall. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the open." "But his left-handedness." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she could go. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked of Fenchurch Street." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the emerged. them present such singular features as the strange train of sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "I say it is." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his least a fellow-countryman. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a bearing upon the case." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I promise," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until straightened it out again. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he did not hear it also.' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten at home. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'Is 4 pounds a week.' myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "And what did you see?" floor. light and attacked it." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it followed. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with been deceived." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's during the last few years, and there are many noble families to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Serpentine Avenue. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the light and attacked it." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'Most admirably.' "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent cigars in the box." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. maid will bring up your coffee." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, him nearly every evening." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in you." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to to tell." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "What! a murderous attack?" during that time.'