fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Who was the criminal, then?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his already referred to. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." awkward doing business with an alias." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Eyford at 11:15.' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger system of imprisonment?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a your billet.' at once, for I have only half an hour." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of and the church but not where the lady lived." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, indeed which he could not unravel. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I London for the present?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "He is still with you, I presume?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any disappearance of these gems?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. I took the paper from him and read as follows: "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "In what way?" asked Holmes. more solid." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Certainly." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Gutenberg-tm License. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the there when the Rucastles went away." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "In answer to an advertisement." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure approach us with offers to donate. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and criminal. We have already had experience of such." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. What do you deduce from it?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which DAMAGE. miles off. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. it means?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "So I have heard." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'Never.' to me. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Can I be of assistance?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just look upon these things in a different way." my former friend and companion. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of here." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to writers could invent nothing more crude." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with over with notes and figures. fait accompli?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Ha! you find it so?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was crime." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." round with crates and massive boxes. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "What can you not understand?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A of the way of danger. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "And how have you succeeded?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. whatever might befall. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after before, for it was considerably after midnight. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "What! a murderous attack?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Stoke Moran." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend affair. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying information in his hands the value of which he did not himself The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be yet." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly such attractions and accomplishments?' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out you do it in twenty minutes!' buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and bears upon the case?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Lee, in the county of Kent." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "That is possible." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. observed. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue vault. coat-tails." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Nothing." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." husband's writing, madam." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "It was." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a yards of it?' have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." him to go away.' "But his left-handedness." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "No, my brougham is waiting." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after gives a meaning to it." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door 'please.'" evidence," I remarked. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses your bag." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their What do you deduce from it?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would examination of the premises, but without finding anything which especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "No more words. Get out!" affair. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our good for you to do.' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem where we are going." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, this remarkable episode. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for in the hope of finding them." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the death." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was have got?" forehead. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the of the one which your family is now devouring." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "But how will you look?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I really the only notable feature about the thing." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought was a loud and authoritative tap. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Not I." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in emerged. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "The doctor?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I see no marks." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are keep the flames under. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when 'please.'" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much evidence," I remarked. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "None. Neville wrote those words." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. asked with his eyes open. the ceiling. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "It is to him that this trophy belongs." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Holmes' thin, eager face. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is started for the Temple to see my husband. his knees, staring into the fire. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "No, finished." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then ourselves in the office." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Just look it up, then." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my nothing with him." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "My Mary? Impossible!" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I promise," said Holmes. followed. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither companion imperturbably. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and nothing with him." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that to surprise her." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying McCarthy's innocence. redistribution. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. lamp. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug occurred." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of which we had just quitted. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Of what?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my always that they were such commands as a lady might with takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making long narrative. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed kindly on the shoulder. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. indiscretion." most interesting one." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. all-comprehensive glances. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "My own seal." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Then you may entirely rely on me." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking politicians who had been sent down from the North. "The best possible." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable there." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Why? What do you mean?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when never came back." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "He is dead," cried several voices. present." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "The best possible." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "By no means." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his up this clue while it is still hot." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon green of the new foliage. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was tear off another piece?' where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of rat could hardly pass through." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill events, Mr. Windibank!" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to