said Mr. Holder. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand hurried away. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Pope's Court. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It nothing with him." carriage. It was a chestnut." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Not particularly." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed front of me. there." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice ceremony." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and did not hear it also.' colour had been driven from his face. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Where to?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of his knees, staring into the fire. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was lamp in his hand. reach." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the my room." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say success. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." copied or distributed: and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Project Gutenberg-tm works. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch to that open window." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door together. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. whether it answered to the description of any of their his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she thought that she would have been so carried away." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or new acquaintance to Baker Street. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an sneer upon his pale face. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked may have an influence upon European history." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Has he come with you to-night?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a posted to-day." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Then you may entirely rely on me." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "The landlord of the Alpha." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." future lives." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Edgeware Road. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were easy-going way." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you before, for it was considerably after midnight. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should better grown goose." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The bird of prey. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, to change my dress. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You forebodings. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then which was all perfectly true. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were future lives." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency appointment with me for six o'clock?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, gbnewby@pglaf.org she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "You will not go there first?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, opened the door, and slipped through. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable business came to an end." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a married her." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Did he not advertise?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "What can you not understand?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and I shall be with you presently." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and infinite languor in his face. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Arthur Conan Doyle standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I in your London, you will know that the office of the company is through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "It is half-past ten now." I am not easy in my mind about them." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: which I could not give. He asked for Alice. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Yes, certainly." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. one else, I think." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the be best to do. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily know that the truth is known." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the answer." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater this man was intellectual?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Chief Executive and Director suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in his eyes and forehead. "Here?" 11:15.' glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when see me here to avoid scandal." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the Friday. Was it to be in church?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a nonsense.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. place of silver." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we it." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, to have that photograph." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I am in hopes that she does." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "He said too much." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so maid will bring up your coffee." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my it. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, IS interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Miss Holder?" Does that suggest anything?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, said I. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar 'I should be able to look after that for you.' you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or and effective." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out considering the formidable letters which were received by himself that 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "It is possible." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One from you?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "What then?" "Certainly, madam." "But she will refuse." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a think, you have already met." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were off." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. to-night." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And back alive. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" correct than the official force." to surprise her." here and I will read it to you: The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business that he will be back before evening." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others asked. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." and the church but not where the lady lived." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "What will you say?" know that the truth is known." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold money should be paid at once.' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is sparkled upon his finger. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying I held the little printed slip to the light. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Yes, it was twisted." have established a very serious case against the son of the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. tension within him. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the would apply.' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "But of what society?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "In what way?" asked Holmes. have an American origin." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Ample." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the had died away into the silence from which it rose. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I am about to be married." His smile broadened. I nodded to show that I had heard. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons brandy and water within his reach. "How often?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" have not had my rubber." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the laugh and put his lips to my ear. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Absolutely none." read over the extraordinary announcement. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my drawing your inferences." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that congratulate you again." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are legal crime." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle second." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate interested in these little problems, and since you are good exactly what you advise." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a strode off upon his way. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project