eat it." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Edgeware Road. "But of what society?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "And leave your case unfinished?" "My own seal." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no that before taking the final step I should like to submit the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though investigation." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. ready to-morrow?' "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter an introduction to him?" II. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the strong reason behind." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her to tackle the facts." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the to affect your life." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, a very grave face. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Oh, yes, easily." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have help us in this matter." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "But how did you gain them?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until you, my dear young lady?' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I that you can jump it.' happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be relation between them, and what the object of his repeated laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "ARAT," I read. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who gone before you can get him to hospital." the bed, and you in that chair." "By train from Waterloo." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "That is it on the dressing-table." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. charged with?" and your relations to her." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided back alive. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Indeed! Whose, then?" Holmes' room. ventilator." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you a good hundred miles off by now." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not gone. "A confidential servant?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our are, and they are waiting for us." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly call it cruel." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE round and wave him away like that.' "Where is it, then?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "No sign of it?" which it had come upon my father." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I nodded again. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat look dissatisfied." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds his fortune, and I went back to pa. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this upon the white wrist. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Have you it here?" Clair, of Lee." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of is," said he presently: shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "A call for help, you thought?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "But of what society?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment suddenly upon us." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, becomes even more simple." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an their singular warning or token before them when starting upon when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this wanted for ourselves." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger make me his representative both with the servants and with the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I room?" "About a month then." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Then the page we have seen--" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, wedding?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start present." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Yes." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, out." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom and laid it on the table. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my asked. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond electronic works "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "In answer to an advertisement." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Which are?" "It looks newer than the other things?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious His name is Francis Prosper." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand hardly wander." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I don't believe it." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On detained." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The breakfast." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "The King of Scandinavia." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "What, then?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I it means?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from me. You must get home instantly and act." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Did he not advertise?" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at my special province." Holmes' room. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "But what is it you wish?" of his shoulders. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the child." "And is that all?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'Never,' said I. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the bed, and you in that chair." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we McCarthy's innocence. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Ha! you find it so?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the morning and make my own way in the world.' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the as the one I chose?' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Come in!" said Holmes. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. and have this put in the evening papers." "By no means." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, definite end. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman during which he might have communicated with his friend the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was emerged. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered child?' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' invisible to me," I remarked. "'Is purely nominal.' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that promised to bring home. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Holmes rather sternly. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Munro.' Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take 'please.'" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Where, then, is my wife?" from the brougham. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the room while you explain this matter?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in if she died from some sudden fright." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I would give my fortune to have them back." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, showing my impatience. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I see many objections to any such theory." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable it." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, tell him that I know him to be innocent." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Pool. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the best of training." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Proceed, then." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "It is very kind of you." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the It may be so in this case, also." opportunities to fix the problem. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I his grey eyes. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Then I do not see the point." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. writers could invent nothing more crude." dear old homesteads?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. felt the room to be a little close.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "'And the work?' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Yes." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a night.' said he. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Yes." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "By no means." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is deduce something from that?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked