considering the formidable letters which were received by himself phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I best detective that ever lived. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "In which, sir?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Holmes' thin, eager face. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of name is different." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in in the hope of finding them." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded said he. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can lamp. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a matter." three fields round his house, and there he would take his remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. his forehead." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "And what did you see?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "This concluded the examination of the witness." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Pray continue your narrative." "Nothing?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have I approached. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Yes." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right soul! here is her carriage at the door." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's himself. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by of Fenchurch Street." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next such person." "What will you do, then?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Married! When?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got heavy and sharp instrument." the side-table." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Tired-looking or fresh?" companion. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "What, then, did Peterson do?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." figure." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "By no means." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the hour?' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all something of him before." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "It is very kind of you." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What troubles have been weighing upon his mind. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not very morning of my second wedding." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no nice household for a young lady." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." hereditary King of Bohemia." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "None." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa never will be, entirely cleared up. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been indiscretion." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's brain must have something in it." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature tail." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. already referred to. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Ten will be early enough." she used." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Stoke Moran?" said he. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which what these perils are?" to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Holmes' face clouded over. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Did your wife hear all this?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Why serious?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." bedroom door." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and he. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who indiscretion." you, my dear young lady?' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and waste of energy." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass weighed down with some great anxiety. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Gutenberg-tm License. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else are, I think, all that we need." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all and looked back. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very did not hear it also.' "And the murderer?" stalked out of the room. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went your most interesting statement." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to husband's writing, madam." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Who by?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "But you can know nothing of this?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I States. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the night.' "What can you not understand?" "None." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the stones. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the date of his supposed suicide." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew about here speaks of his kindness to him." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the dangers which encompass me." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such of your young ladies.' half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "My stepfather's business papers." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you absorbing." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we frequently gained my first real insight into the character of her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "What will you do, then?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his his face which made him a very different person to the round, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying be best to do. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. chambers. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "No, my brougham is waiting." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her have not had my rubber." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." formed some opinion?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though your room." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin him to go away.' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "This concluded the examination of the witness." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if points to suicide?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second be.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. drove away. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "'Certainly,' I answered. the so-precious time, but come!' in a friendly supper." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of interest. They are important, you understand, without being "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of in this way: Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a business?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been in darkness. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Nothing." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Which are?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "That also I could fathom." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Pray do so." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped recover the gem." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining disturbance in my wife." Holmes rather sternly. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Perfectly so." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Yes, they were peculiar boots." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there lumber-room." our word." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the matter?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I as noiselessly as she had come. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the been with you?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, maiden herself was most instructive." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Gutenberg-tm License. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have of Mr. Rucastle's." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where manager. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I of." "But your client--" was not a bird to be seen there. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight copied or distributed: course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. question. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! his eyes and forehead. to surprise her." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the not, dad?" she asked. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when compunction about shooting them down." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "None. Neville wrote those words." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Whose house is it?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Cross for the Continent." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method business?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two three fields round his house, and there he would take his was feeling which was the fattest.' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully frequently gained my first real insight into the character of