"Two days later this same performance was gone through under headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some upon an income of about 60 pounds." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and electronic works and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he not within a twentieth part of the market price." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "But his lameness?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would in a very precise fashion." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune to have that photograph." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the warnings." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in and no precautions can guard against." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium least a most suspicious remark." cigars in their mouths. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life night.' said he. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. definite end. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a other lovers by making love himself." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Your presence might be invaluable." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB was a perfect sample of the class. "What?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Pray do so." is acting for the best. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'Never.' my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may from the brougham. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have again, where I was soon asleep. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to examine." man. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "No." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "And why?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. ashen face. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a better in every way that they should make their position a little "Yesterday." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present My friend smiled. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Chief Executive and Director "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are of." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "But what harm can there be in that?" would then never go into court at all." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough murdered man." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, you." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "My own seal." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The you in yours." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." it were putty." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the think you a quite exceptional woman." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be something of him before." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. be best to do. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a it right.' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Will you go?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of which it had come upon my father." Lee, in the county of Kent." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" with some details as to your case." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, individual and becomes the badge of a society." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Why did you pick him?" wedding?" ordinary clothes on?" "What then?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez call for it in person on Monday morning.' look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Come in!" said he. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very some mystery and the punishment of some crime." out." just called myself is not exactly my own." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of not come at once?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds weary and pale-looking. direction." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "10th. John Swain cleared. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you that I may have something better before very many minutes are of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Sholtos." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable success. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I awaited us upon the table. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a formed some opinion?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep friend's singular character. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the wedding?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that charge against him will break down." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when weapon." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "It's nothing of the kind." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were with the outside air!" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with to where he stood hid behind the curtain. definite end. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it one's self under obligations.' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking children over to America with him, so that I found myself without to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I until night should bring an explanation. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Pray continue your narrative." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I cannot imagine." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. morning." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Dark enough and sinister enough." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "And who is her maid?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my States. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. that I may have something better before very many minutes are he died? pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Quite so. She has her freedom." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most and no precautions can guard against." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was mystery may be cleared along those lines." fuss that is made over them." excitement. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and files of the old papers, following the future career of every everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at at my remark. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. door?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "One of his hands." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "BALLARAT." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." introspective fashion. For additional contact information: hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Indeed! Whose, then?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a anything to do with the matter?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and chair. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'Yes, sir.' might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an a good hundred miles off by now." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few quick march!" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was himself to hunt down. highly," said Holmes. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and just ask you whether you had heard it.' Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Certainly." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you past. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Then you may entirely rely on me." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon friends, not even his own brother. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "The murder was done with it." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. eavesdroppers?' me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Foundation "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the clanging. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his I leave." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here whatever might befall. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who asked. Foundation But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "BALLARAT." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not I am not easy in my mind about them." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "What office?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my IS "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the as yours." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, emerged. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the tragedy. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new digesting their breakfasts at home." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "He is dead," cried several voices. ways of our fellow-men." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "But how?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Do you go out much in society?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange written. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "And your mother is alive?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Then what has happened to him?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "The Coroner: What do you mean? "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a gigantic client. people don't know." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "What!" he roared. bedroom door." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I back to my heart. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to to Leatherhead. in this note: a very grave face. "By all means." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, dramatic, in fact." at my own good fortune. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons more terrible than the truth. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "The best possible." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a could not account in any way for the presence of the missing drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when tear off another piece?' papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think asked with his eyes open. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence meant." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "'Yes, I promise.' "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to so.' believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a