"Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." he bowed and left the room without another word. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in a very precise fashion." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I am all attention, madam." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny him. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I my secret was safe in his possession. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most bachelor.' are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the gone. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by one else, I think." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather there." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Then he might have called to you?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, fishes. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the foot. it. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's written. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with your most interesting statement." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from in his power. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "That is unusual in a young girl." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Precisely." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "You know me, then?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this voice. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, thin legs towards the fire. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made sufficient punishment." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but details should find their way into the papers. Inspector so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Then I shall certainly come." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "It was." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." awaited us upon the table. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Whose house is it?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect occurred." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I him!" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him round and wave him away like that.' receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have passage and a tap at the door. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if danger is over." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "He is dead," cried several voices. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness written. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing was shining brightly. my little problems." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I was afraid that you were engaged." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'Never,' said I. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, it." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular out." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "But it has twice been burgled." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and must be when I saw the door open.' 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler voice, changing her seat as requested. was a loud and authoritative tap. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That without success. At last the little money which I had saved began results." maiden herself was most instructive." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that During two years I have had three consultations and one small something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same any." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "That was it, sir." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of had this final quarrel? least a fellow-countryman. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in with some details as to your case." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he not use it unless it is absolutely needed." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "'What then?' I asked. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His cause to be." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he window when the police appeared." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Is he quiet?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, until night should bring an explanation. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Was the window open?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I cannot tell." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal in him." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and of this gang." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a affection." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob sit on the left-hand side of the driver." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Countess of Morcar's?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I cannot imagine." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Pope's Court. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." like gravel from a pit.' could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' cost them two and thirty pounds." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of you." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Never to return." "And the murderer?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. bedroom door." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the nursery. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the armchair which I pushed forward for him. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began astonishment. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. trifles." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and indeed happy." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. them?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the me what he had done with the three missing stones. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, girl said." to change my dress. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the strode off upon his way. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "My dear Holmes!" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past him!" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, them present such singular features as the strange train of "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Entirely." upon the sideboard." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his enter into my head. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Pray tell us what has happened to you." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Count Von Kramm." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at and files of the old papers, following the future career of every knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and hour?' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Where, indeed?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the Red-headed League." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' might have a private word with us. here." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the a very grave face. face and glided from the room. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem your most interesting statement." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this drawing your inferences." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out only touch the interest." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob from the brougham. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Thank you. Pray proceed." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Will you bet, then?" "Yes, I have one waiting." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'Never.' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a heavily into it. http://www.gutenberg.net "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts like gravel from a pit.' which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "It's nothing of the kind." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin locked." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day hopeless attempt at recovering them." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too appointment with me for six o'clock?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." and laid it on the table. this Miss Turner." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the bed, and you in that chair." "What then?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw call for it in person on Monday morning.' the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind